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Chronometer from Henry Walters' Steamyacht, the Narada Thumbnail

Chronometer from Henry Walters' Steamyacht, the Narada

Victor Kullberg (1851 - 1947) (Manufacturer)

John Bliss & Co (1857 - 1957) (Manufacturer)

1898-1899

wood, brass, glass, steel, ivory, silver, gold, palladium, sapphire
(18th and 19th Centuries )

A chronometer is a navigational tool consisting of an extremely accurate timepiece that can be used to keep Greenwich Mean Time. Longitude can then be calculated by computing the difference between the chronometer's mean time and the ship's local time, measured against the position of celestial bodies.

This chronometer, used on Henry Walters' steamyacht, the Narada, was made by George P. Kullberg in London, who was famed for the precision of his manufacturers. Based on the serial number of the movement, it was made some time in 1898 or 1899 (after Henry acquired the yacht from Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr.), and finished with a dial, box and other fittings by John Bliss and Co. of New York City. The object then fit within an outer box (WAM 58.266B), that was secured to the bridge of the yacht.

Inscription

[Inscription] Ivory plaque on exterior front face: JOHN BLISS & CO. / 2925 / NEW YORK; [Inscription] On dial of chronometer: JOHN BLISS & CO. / NEW YORK / No. 2925;
[Serial number] On upper plate of movement and bottom of bowl (dust cover): 6757

Provenance

**Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.**

Acquired by Henry Walters. Inherited (?) by Mr. Warren Delano; given to Walters Art Museum, 1988.

Exhibitions

2014-2016

From Rye to Raphael: The Walters Story. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
	Examination	Examined, cleaned
	Treatment	Examined, cleaned.
	Examination	Examined and cleaned in preparation for exhibition.
	Treatment	Examined and cleaned in preparation for exhibition.

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Geographies

United Kingdom, London (Place of Origin) USA, New York, New York (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 7 11/16 × W: 7 1/2 × D: 7 5/16 in. (19.6 × 19 × 18.6 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. Warren Delano, 1988

Location in Museum

Not on view

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

58.266A

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