Clocks, Domestic, General Table clock, English, early 17th century

Clocks, Domestic, General Table clock, English, early 17th century. This table clock was made in London by David Bouquet (d 1665), a Frenchman who became a member of the London BlacksmithÕs Company in 1628 and of the Clockmakers' Company in 1632. Table clocks were the earliest form of spring-driven clocks, the earliest known examples dating from about 1500. Most early table clocks were made in France and Germany, so it is rare to find an English example. They were were usually flat drums or boxes with the dials on top. As was common at this time, the clock has only a single hour-hand, and the dial has touch-pins for finding the time by night. Its timekeeping is controlled by the usual verge escapement and balance wheel of the period. ©SSPL/Science Museum