Strasburg clock model by Richard Bartholomew Smith

Strasburg clock model, made by Richard Bartholomew Smith, wood / paint, Australia, 1887-1889

Consists of a large-scale working model of the Strasburg clock and is a reproduction of the original astronomical Strasbourg Clock in Strasbourg Cathedral in France. The clock is made from carved and painted wood with gold painted detailing. The clock displays the position of the planets out of Neptune, the days of the month, solar time, lunar phases and analog time.

The clock features carved figures of Christ and the Twelve Apostles in the top alcove of the Central Tower with additional carved figures representing the Four Ages of Man. These figures are surmounted by a carved, painted dome with three carved wooden busts.

In the central section of the tower there is a semi-circular niche with a sphere representing the moon with the text 'What is there equal to the Dawn, beautiful as the Moon, radiant as the Sun, Deus La Mea MDCCCXXVII Quem Tembo' inscribed in gold relief lettering.

In the lower section of the the tower, there is a golded orrery showing the planets and their orbits, the zodiac signs marked around the rim and a faux marble column on either side of the central clock displaying the time in Sydney with carved. painted cherubs to either side.

On the left tower there are faux marble columns and painted niches with images of the the Three Fates, the Muse of Astronomy (Urania), Nicholas Copernicus and J.B. Schwilgue, while the right tower features a carved wooden spiral staircase with gilded detail.

The base features a glazed niche with carved figures of seven pagan gods representing the days of the week on a revolving drum. Below this there is a large astronomical clock showing the motion of the moon around the earth and the rising and setting times of the stars. The left section of the base features six small clock dials showing the international times for London, Edinburgh, Dublin, New York, St Petersburg (Leningrad) and Berlin. The right section of the base features three gauges showing solar time and painted end panels depicting images of Creation and the Ressurection of Jesus. The top of the base features gold painted wooden posts and two lions holding the shield and arms of the city of Strasbourg. The text 'Centennial Strasburg Clock Model' is inscribed in relief gold letteting across the base.