Marvel at the fine engineering of Frisian clocks - and the collection
Joure, center of the Frisian clock
When you say Joure, you say... okay; Douwe Egberts, but also definitely Frisian clocks. In the 19th century, Joure was the epicenter of the Frisian clock. Chair clocks but especially many tail clocks were manufactured here by hand. A real craft of which Joure and the rest of Friesland is proud. Experience the craft in our Frisian clock workshop and marvel at the beautiful specimens in our Frisian clock collection, the largest in the world!
You will experience this
- Watchmaking; fascinating fine mechanics
- Painting dials; an art in itself
- With image and sound back to the heyday of the Jouster clock industry
- Marvel at the moving representations on the dial, powered by the clockwork
- Regular clockmaker Freerk works in the clock factory
- The largest collection of Frisian clocks in the world
Around the world
Especially the tail clock gave an enormous impulse to the Frisian clock production in Joure. The clock fitted in perfectly with the furniture fashion in the second half of the 18th century, so every well-to-do citizen and farmer wanted one in the house. In the 19th century, Joure was the center of the Frisian clock industry for many years. In the peak year of 1857, as many as 4,000 Frisian clocks were made here. They went all over the world, from America to Egypt.
Four crafts in one
It takes at least four craftsmen to make a Frisian clock. The coppersmith makes the gears and various other parts for the clock. The clockmaker works on these parts and assembles the clock. The clock is placed in a wooden case, which is then supplied by a clockmaker. Finally, the clock painter decorates the dial, a work of art in itself. The clocks were always made to order and completely adapted to the wishes of the customer. No two clocks are alike.
Frisian clockmaker Freerk
A native of Jouster, as a small boy he looked at the art of master clockmakers around the corner. He became addicted to the Frisian clock. Now he makes them himself, also in the museum.
