Studio Brief 2 - Object - Research - Elemental Timepieces

Elemental Timepieces

Elemental Timepieces use natural forces to power them rather than a mechanical mechanism.

Combustion clocks

These include candle, incense and oil candles – they burn material at a constant rate

Candle Clocks use a certain type of wax which burns at particular rate. The rate of burning is known so the width and height of the candle are fixed. The markings on the side of the candle correspond to different time intervals which are fixed based on the knowledge of the rate of burning.

The candle clock provided a way of measuring time that had elapsed but couldn’t tell the exact time of day. Historically the positions of the Sun and Moon were used to tell the time, however candle clock could be used as a way of measuring time when it was cloudy.

The earliest reference was by Chinese poet You Jiangu (520BC) who created a clock with six candles, 12 inches high, divided into 12 sections of one inch, made using the same wax and the same width. These would burn in 4 hours with a marking representing 20 minutes. A wooden case protected them from blowing out.

Another was made by Al- Jazari in 1206 AD which was more complicated and included a dial to display the time, a bayonet fitting and a fastening mechanism were used to make it function. The candle would burn making it lighter allowing the counterweights to move the mechanism and display the time.

Incense Clocks came from China which were placed before the Buddha in temples. The incense burned at a stable speed, meaning time could be measured from the length of incense embers. Sticks of different scented incense could be used to signify a change in time or weights that would drop into a platter at certain times and function as an alarm clock.

Lamp Clocks had intervals on the side which measured how much oil had been burned. They worked as clocks and lights making them multi functional and would last from the evening to the next morning.

Sun Dials

Sun Dials measure the length of a day based on the angle of the shadow cast by a vertical rod (gnomon). The first was created 6000 years ago, by the Egyptians. In the Northern Hemisphere, the shadow rotates round to the right, it is believed this is why a clock rotates clockwise to emulate this.

Paper Sundials were used to tell the time when there was not access to other means e.g. on voyages. The black section of the sundial was put on the correct month, then held up to the sun and the time was read by the length of the shadow.

Portable Sundials were more compact and were bought with a compass. The sundial was pointed to the north and the time was determined by the position of the shadow that was created over the hemisphere.