Replica of Saxon 'Sinking Bowl' Water Clock, 1931

Made:
1931; 750-850 CE in South Kensington
maker:
Science Museum
Replica of bronze Saxon 'sinking bowl' water clock

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Replica of bronze Saxon 'sinking bowl' water clock
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Replica of bronze Saxon 'sinking bowl' water clock, Science Museum, South Kensington, London, 1931. Original made 750-850CE. Placed on the surface of water, it measures a unit of time (in this case approximately 1 hour) through a hole in the bottom which slowly allows water into it.

This is a copy of the original bronze bowl found in a bog in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The bowl has a small hole in the bottom, and in use it was placed on the surface of water until, after a certain interval of time, it sank. The interval in the case of this bowl is approximately one hour.

Details

Category:
Time Measurement
Object Number:
1931-834
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Measurements:
overall: 75 mm 160 mm,
type:
water clock and replica
credit:
Science Museum