Museo Galileo
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Virtual Museum
Oil clock
    • Setting:
      Room II
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Date:
      18th cent.
    • Materials:
      pewter, glass
    • Dimensions:
      height 325 mm
    • Inventory:
      3570
    • Oil clock (Inv. 3570)

Designed for night use, this oil clock consists of a glass phial inserted in a pewter lamp. Time was measured by the amount of oil left in the phial. The instrument is incomplete—the graduated hour scale is missing—and thus inoperative.