Dutch walnut ‘schoolbord’ Zaanse clock, Jan Koogies, Wormerveer

A so-called Zaanse (i.e. from the Zaan region) clock in a rare ‘school board’ variation. The one-day movement is mounted on an openwork seatboard and comprises a going train with a verge escapement and a striking train with countwheel, functioning between plates. The movement also features quarter-hour striking and an alarm mechanism. The silvered numeral ring indicates the hours in Roman numerals and the minutes in Arabic numerals. Below the numeral VI is the signature: Jan Koogies Wormerveer. The numeral ring is mounted upon a black velvet plate and surrounded by four spandrels in the shape of cherub heads.

The clockmaking industry in the Zaan area flourished tremendously between 1680 and 1730. As a result, this type of stoelklok (literally “chair clock”) represented one of the earliest applications of the pendulum clock at a regional level. In the Zaan region, the clockmaker’s craft was defined by the tradition of turret clock crafting; hence the characteristic forked spokes. Among the most productive makers were Jan Koogies and Cornelis van Rossen.

Zaanse clocks feature a fairly robust structure, executed in brass and iron. Some have movements constructed out of strips and corner stiles (these may be twisted), others have movements constructed between ground and top plates. The escapement invariably takes the form of a horizontal verge escapement, with the pendulum swinging through a cavity in the heavy wall board. This board often features an elegantly sawed outline. However, some clocks are mounted on a wall board with a rectangular shape terminating in a tapering spout-like shape. These are known as clocks “op schoolbord” (literally: on school board), in reference to the wooden school bags in use at the time, which consisted of a small case with a handle and sliding lid. Early Zaanse clocks are often veneered with precious ebony or rosewood; later they were more commonly rendered in lacquered oak.

Zaanse clocks with a silvered brass numeral ring on a velvet-covered dial are often signed on the ring. In some instances, the signature was applied to one of the movement strips with a striking stamp. Unsigned clocks with simple paintwork are often regarded as poor people’s clocks, though this belief is unjustified. The weights in Zaanse clocks are suspended from a cord, and are often pear-shaped. The brass bell brackets often feature the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. The bell brackets at the sides often bear the arms of Amsterdam and Alkmaar with the common saying “Nu elck syn sin” (To each his own). This motto likely refers to the freedom of religion and entrepreneurship observed by the Mennonites in the Zaan region.

Origin and period

Mario Crijns, Breda Private collection, Amsterdam

Dutch walnut ‘schoolbord’ Zaanse clock, Jan Koogies, Wormerveer

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