Antique clocks very rich in art and historical value

By Sri Wahyuni

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The loud chime of a particular clock surprised visitors at a clock exhibition at Bentara Budaya here.

"This clock was used in a church tower," the exhibition's coordinator Hermanu explained.

The three-meter high and 90-centimeter wide wooden clock was only one of some 50 clocks that were displayed during the week- long exhibition titled Lontjeng Toea (Old Bell) that ended on Sept. 26.

The clocks, belonging to some 15 collectors from Yogyakarta and the surrounding cities, came in different models and were made in different years.

"When I bought it some years ago, it had been lying on the floor and out of order for 30 years," said Hendro Wardoyo, the tower clock's owner.

The tower clock, which was made in Netherlands in 1921, has a pendulum calibrated by two weights weighing about five kilograms each and hanging from a metal chain. The pendulum and its two weights keep the clock running. When the two weights are of the same height, the clock stops working.

"That's how most ancient clocks worked," explained Hendro, who is the son of noted artist H. Widayat.

In all, there were two tower clocks on display, the other one also belonged to Hendro. Both were about the same size and made of wood.

The oldest clock on display at the exhibition belonged to collector J. Unggul Simanjuntak. The French 1807 table clock called astronomy bell was about 50cm high, 30cm wide and 15cm thick. Although ancient, the clock has indicators for the day and month. It also had a picture showing the position of the moon during the month.

"Every full moon, the picture will be that of a full moon," said Unggul, who displayed seven clocks from his collection for the exhibition.

The smallest piece on display was a table clock which was about the size of a woman's fist. It was about 4cm in diameter and 2cm thick.

According to Hermanu who owns the clock, the Mauthe Colibri clock, made in the 1870s, once belonged to the Surakarta Palace.

"I bought it from a flea market in Solo some years ago for only Rp 25,000," said Hermanu.

"Ancient clocks are not only rich in art but also have historical and scientific values. That's why we held the exhibition."

Other clock collectors participating in the exhibition included Agus Leonardus, Bowo Manisrenggo, Eko Keris, Mohammad Abdullah, Najib Rotowijayan, Galeri Gajah Poncowinatan, Umar Abulaila, H. Istiyanto, Oom Liem, Ronang, Ambar Polah, Umar Mendut and Handoko.

Unggul said he decided to take part in the exhibition because he wanted to show visitors the uniqueness of ancient clocks.

He had been collecting old clocks since the 1960s when prices were just the same as that of contemporary ones.

"Then, I could buy an old clock for only between Rp 15,000 and Rp 25,000 each," Unggul said, adding that an antique clock now could cost tens or even hundreds of million rupiah.

In the 1970s, Unggul had some 50 antique clocks of different models and sizes. However, he had sold most of them because he needed the money. Now he only has 10 clocks in his precious collection.

Clock as an indicator of time was first invented in the 15th century. In 1657, a Dutch man named Christian Huggens, invented the clock's pendulum and its weights. Till 1800, clocks were produced manually. That is why most collectors hunt clocks made during that period.

In 1807, the clock industry began to develop in the United States followed by Germany, France and Switzerland. Asian countries, including China, Japan and Taiwan, started producing clocks only in the 1900s.

According to Hermanu, antique clocks came to Indonesia with the coming of the VOC during the Dutch colonial era and also during the Japan colonial period. Since the country's independence, no more antique clocks entered the market as they were replaced by modern battery-operated versions.

Trademarks of antique clocks include Junghans, Hima, Robinhood, Caro, Patek Philippe and Youtchwehrle.

However, it is not easy to find antique clocks in the market these days as most of them are already in the hands of collectors. Or, they may be lying unnoticed by people who have not realized its value and find them unpractical.

"Unless they are in the hands of collectors, they won't be restored," Hermanu said.