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Museum Month May 2010

This merrie month of May is Museum Month, when young, attractive museum curators don high heels, black stockings and low-cut dresses in order to entice the general public into their fascinating institutions. And that's only the men! OK, the first bit may not be true, but now that I have your undivided attention, yes, it is true that around the country our national treasures and taonga will be on display to remind us that, while NZ is a young country, we have a remarkably rich heritage. Let us check it out.

800 years of Maori occupation at the southernmost tip of the Polynesian Triangle with its waka culture, wharenui culture, Treaty culture and the impact of colonization. The arrival of Western culture and technology with sealers, whalers, war, matchbox farming, agrarian innovation, science, conservation, more war, ships and, on every self-respecting mantelpiece, clocks.

Poet M.K. Joseph observed that between 1920 and 1970, New Zealand "this arcadian state, is built on butter fat". Let's just say thank you to Nauru and Ocean Island for all that cheap bird shit. It must be no co-incidence that also between those years, upwardly mobile kiwis living in a cool climate, nearly always had a mantel clock over their fireplace.

Mass produced in Mother England, mantel clocks were compact, easy to move around and looked good. The early makes had pendulums, while later models had a floating balance, suspended by a hair spring which slowly unwinds as the clock runs for up to a week. The round face will have either two or three holes for winding. The central one will power the spring, one will power the chime and one will power the hourly strike of the clock. Most mechanical mantel clocks will produce a chiming melody that is played on metal rods or brass bells. One such will be on a special display at the National Clapham's Clock Museum at the Town Basin.

If you had to walk off the farm, the Clock Museum is celebrating Museum Month by offering half price entrance to see the hundreds of clocks on display. This will be on May 22nd for the general public. During the month from May 17th to 21st, school parties are free, but you MUST book ahead. Staff at Clapham's Clocks have prepared a special mantel clock exhibition, highlighting several of this type of attractive, yet common timepiece. One clock carries advertising (possibly American), that says "eat more fruit". Today it might read "be more fruit". I have already mentioned the chiming mantel clock, while another one is from the Art Deco period.

This wonderful art period started in the 1920's and was probably a reaction to the austerities of the First World War. It is a highly energized art form covering everything from buildings, cars, stamps, paintings, furniture, clothing and even to a whole town. Napier! Finally, this special clock display will allow you a close look at their design. One is known as a Napolean Hat, with the frame always made of wood. Timbers used ranged from walnut, oak, beech and birch. Cheaper versions would be in veneer.

So, why not get your dial down to the greatest clock collection in the country and make some time to be amazed. Don’t you think its chime you did?