Zaandam

Product Review

Shortly after Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum escapement (1656), this style of clock became the Dutch Zaan region’s famous contribution. This recognizable style has been in use since about 1670. Zaan or Zaandam clocks are small boxes with baroque ornaments that are attached, via brackets, to a beautifully grained wall board.

The brass crown shows illustrations of Faith, Love (Charity), and Hope. The bell is also topped by Atlas, carrier of the world. The pendulum bob depicts a riding horseman. These diverse religious and cultural characters adorn the phrase “Nu Elck Syn Sin” (“to each his own”) which was a typical sentiment in 17th Century Holland. The Zaan region had a particularly booming timber industry with free workers moving in from across Europe to create one of the first powerful industrial nations with Freedom of Religion.