ACTIVITIES:

Head of the Collection: M.A. Vedrana Gjukic-Bender, Museum Consultant

In addition to a smaller number of sculptures, this collection includes several crucifixes, a number of old musical instruments as well as a collection of watches. Because the museum doesn't possess many of them, these items have been integrated into a single collection.The collection includes some fifty clocks and pocket watches dating from 17th to the 19th centuries. These represent a separate section within the "miscellaneous" collection. They have been collected in the Dubrovnik area but are all of foreign origin, since in the 19th century there were only four clock-makers in the region who mostly did repairs.

Earlier there were clock-makers in Dubrovnik who were responsible for the maintenance of the public tower clock and when needed they also changed its mechanism (like Paskoje Baletin who in 1781 made a new mechanism for this clock that is today on view in the Sponza Palace). It has to be noted that the first public clock in Dubrovnik was put up as early as 1390 on the Rector's Palace tower bell (southeastern tower). In 1444, the new town clock-tower was built and the clock moved there. However, the Rector's Palace retained its own clock which was moved below the tower on the atrium gallery. In the course of time the clockwork mechanisms were replaced by new ones, so that in addition to a Baletin clock the Museum now owns three old tower clockwork mechanisms made by local clock-makers in the same period. The collection also includes mechanisms originating from Austria (Korner, Gstatter, Lazarus, Sacks, Kracher, Nigel), France (of Marshall Marmont), England (Buschman, Diary, Emery), Switzerland (Bautte), the Czech Republic, and Italy (the Roman notturno). Many of these are still working and have exquisite casings of various types.

There is also a number of tabernacle clocks dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, silver pocket watches from the same period, portal-clocks, a picture clock, wall clocks, longcase clocks, lanterns, travel watches and the like. The exhibits have either been acquired or presented as gifts by private collectors. Of special interest in this collection is a group of 10 musical instruments. In the days of the Republic, Dubrovnik could boast a very lively musical activity with such eminent composers as Luka Sorkocevic, Antonije Bertolini and others.

There was also a special Rector's Orchestra. The collection includes musical instruments made by local craftsmen (a harp by A. Bertolini), as well as those purchased from renowned European musical instrument makers (a piano by Anton Walter from Vienna or a violin made by Jospeh Guarneri from Italy).

• Tabernacle Night Clock
• Pocket Watch
• Harp
• Piano

Copyright MDC & Carnet
design NOVENA, Zagreb