Conservation and Making of Clocks and Kinetic Sculpture

West Dean College Diploma - Conservation Restoration of Clocks
West Dean College Award
1 academic year

Professional Development Diploma - Conservation and/or Making of Clocks and Kinetic Sculpture
West Dean College Award
1 academic year

ENQUIRIES:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 818208 or 811301
Email: diplomas@westdean.org.uk

Applying for these programmes?

Link to more information on our application process

Link to downloadable application and referees forms

Link to request or download a West Dean College prospectus

Matthew Read: Before joining West Dean College as Clocks Tutor, Matthew built up a considerable reputation as a clock conservator and lecturer in the UK and Europe. After graduating from West Dean he worked at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich from 2000 – 2004 as a Conservator and Assistant Curator of Horology. Since then he has focussed on self-employed conservation projects including Conservation and Repair of Automata on behalf of the National Trust, Museum of Childhood, Sudbury Hall; Conservation of the Long-case Clock by Ahasuerus Fromanteel on behalf of the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford and the Antiquarian Horological Society. He was also Primary Contractor on the Conservation of Mechanical Horology, National Maritime Museum/Royal Observatory, Greenwich gallery refurbishment (Time and Space project).

The programme is delivered in the purpose-built conservation studios, seminar rooms and off site, visiting clocks in contextual environments.
In the workshop you will have your own dedicated workspace with storage for tools and equipment. The workshop is equipped with hand and machine tools for the production and repair of clocks, together with an area for cleaning and testing completed work and a laboratory with analytical and microscopy equipment. A range of basic hand tools is supplied.

PROGRAMME CONTENT

The diploma course sits within a framework of primarily workshop-based practice, informed and directed through engagement with historic objects and their contexts.

An introduction to clock making through the development of traditional hand and machine tool skills by designing and making a simple weight driven timepiece.

Professional practice skills including the use of IT and library based research in the production of reports and dissertation writing, are also included along with conservation practice and its interpretation through the investigation of historic objects and their environments and context.

Workshop-based practice is developed through the conservation, maintenance and repair of a range of historic clocks, from relatively simple weight driven mechanisms, through to finer spring driven clocks with complications.

The programme and learning objectives are supported by a series of lectures by the clock programme tutor or specialist external lecturers and site visits. These include the introduction to science in conservation, professional practice, and the history of clocks and Clockmaking, enabling the student to make informed and objective decisions about the treatment of objects in their care.

Assessment is through examination, tutorials and portfolio work.

The programme concludes with a display of practical and research based work.

An agreed programme of advanced study and workshop based practice which may include the reconstruction through research, design and making, of a complex historic object, together with the development of professional practice skills through a work placement in a museum, heritage or commercial environment.

Due to the negotiated nature of the programme, new making and research based paths are available.

David Poole: FBHI, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
Derek Roberts: Runs an established business dealing in, restoring, researching and selling fine antique clocks.
Trevor Waddington: a retired Royal Navy engineer officer, he has run a clock conservation-restoration business, since 1995.

include:
Silke Ackermann, Curator of European and Islamic scientific instruments, arms & armour, The British Museum
Jonathan Betts: Curator of Horology, Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum
David Thompson: Curator of Horology, British Museum,
Robert Wren: General Manager of Derek Roberts Fine Antique Clocks

ENQUIRIES
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 818208 or 811301 Email: diplomas@westdean.org.uk

Student profiles

Johan ten Hoeve, West Dean Diploma in Conservation of Clocks and Professional Development Diploma in Clockmaking

Despite growing up above my father’s clock workshop in Holland, I was first drawn towards furniture making, and studied for four years at Amsterdam’s premiere furniture making college MH. My study there in the design and construction of furniture and objects brought back memories of helping out in my father’s studio, which eventually led me to West Dean. In first year on the Diploma programme I learnt the skills needed for repairing, maintaining and conserving clocks. In my second year on the professional development diploma in clockmaking I undertook an ambitious making project, to make a replica of one of Thomas Tompion’s 1676 clocks, which will be housed on permanent display at Octagon Room at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. My future plans are to combine the design, making and horology skills gained at West Dean into the design and construction of new clocks which will have as much to say about design and craft as they do timekeeping.

Mitchell Dowlen, West Dean Diploma Conservation and Restoration of Antique Clocks, 2007 – 2008

Before joining West Dean in September 2007, I had been working in the insurance industry in the City of London for twenty-six years. It was not an easy decision to leave the City after such a long time, but at forty-six years of age I thought that if I was going to make a change of career, then this was the time to do it. Whilst I had always been mechanically minded, I was of course apprehensive about ‘going back to school’ and embarking upon a new career at this stage of my life and wondered whether my talents were good enough to make the transition to becoming a professional restorer. Luckily my family and friends were supportive, and I would encourage anyone who has a true desire to develop a talent to seriously consider making the life style changes necessary to do so. I feel West Dean has given me the opportunity to do just that. It has been very hard work but totally fulfilling and I feel I will be leaving the college well prepared to face what I hope will be a happy and successful future.

Rory McEvoy, Clocks and Baromoters specialist, Bonhams. Studied West Dean Diploma in Conservation and Restoration of Antique Clocks

Before applying to the College I was at a career crossroads. My interest in antiquarian horology began as a hobby designing and making clocks using scrap metal and modern quartz movements. Through doing this, I was approached to look at several antique clocks, which led me to the College. I was very impressed by the workshops at West Dean and particularly the practical emphasis to the course. My year at West Dean was very intense, yet thoroughly enjoyable. Upon graduation I went on to work as a full time clock restorer for a dealer in fine antique clocks where I consolidated my West Dean training and had the pleasure of working on some very rare and prestigious clocks. Now I am working as an antique clock specialist for Bonhams auctioneers in London where I run quarterly Knightsbridge clock sales and assist with the twice-yearly Fine Clock sales. When the schedule permits I enjoy creative clockmaking.