Hommage to a Queen. The Ornamental Clock of Goslar.

As from 1862, Queen Marie of Hanover supported the sculpting education of Hermann Wecken, a master carpenter from Goslar. As a token of his gratitude, Wecken created a monumental clock for the then recently built Marienburg Castle.

However, following the lost war against Prussia in 1866, the king and his entire family went into exile. The clock remained in the possession of its maker. It is decorated with allegoric carvings.

A publicity brochure proudly notes that the figures depicted on the ornamental clock have been entered in the “Catalogue of the nation’s valuable works of art”. The clock’s indications are attributed to Wecken as well. Whenever it is the birthday of one of the members of the royal family, the clock displays a portrait of this person.

As a macabre fact a crufixion scene is set into motion on the hour. It depicts Jesus being nailed to the cross and martyred with lances. Until about 1980, the clock had been on exhibit in Goslar with other curiosities, such as an operative clock made of straw.