Clock from Bell tower

The clocks used on bell tower basically consists of a frame with a number of shafts turned by ropes that are pulled down by counterweights. The motion of the clock is slowed and measured by a series of gearwheels. Introduction of the pendulum in the second half of the seventeenth century made clocks more accurate.

In 1756, when construction of the steeple of the parish church of Elgoibar was completed, a contract was signed for repair of the clock, indicating that it already existed. The existence of a family ironworking and clockmaking workshop in the town is documented from the sixteenth century.

This machinery comes from the clock in the belfry of the parish church of San Bartolomé in Elgoibar (Gipuzkoa) and is n loan from the Bishopric of San Sebastian in Gordailua.

Bibliography:

Juan Garmendia Larrañaga, Juan. Artesanos relojeros. Cuadernos de etnología y etnografía de Navarra, 1970. 2, 5, 267-274.

Garmendia Larrañaga, Juan. Yeregitarrak : Beteluko erlejugilleak = Artesanos relojeros : Los Yeregui. In: Euskal esku-langintza = Artesanía vasca. Donostia = San Sebastián : Auñamendi, 1972. III, 156-183

http://www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/jgl/02001375.pdf

Inventory number: BES-042259-001