‘Feather’ Clock

Kroeger Clock no. 2738, ca. 1895 (MC0207)

The Kroegers standardised clock design and manufacture by the 1890s, and one could no longer identify which Kroeger clockmaker made which clock. Increased demand for Kroeger clocks coincided with innovations that made decals much cheaper to produce, enabling the Kroegers to decorate more clocks at a faster pace. The dials and chapter rings were still hand-painted, usually by one of David Kroeger’s (1860–1920) daughters, but the arch decorations and spandrels were now decals. This clock is an example of a very common design in later Kroeger clocks. Light dials and floral motifs were common, but variations on the design of flowers surrounded by a gold scroll were very popular.

History

Although Mary Hulda Kroeger, née Kroeker (born 1918 in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada), married Ernest (Ernie) Abraham Kroeger (1919–2013), a grandson of the clockmaker David Kroeger (1860–1920), her Kroeger clock came to her from her mother’s side. In 1902 Mary’s maternal grandfather Peter Nickel, originally from Nieder-Chortitza, Russia (now Ukraine), decided to pull up stakes and immigrate to Canada with his family, but not before selling his property. According to Mary, Peter received, among other things, five Kroeger clocks in payment for his property. Did Peter consider the clocks a better currency than rubles, especially in the new country he was headed for? And so, on May 10, 1902, Peter, his family, and five Kroeger clocks arrived on the SS Montfort in Quebec City, Canada. Mary tells of how her mother, Elizabeth Nickel, who had made the sea passage to Canada with her father at the age of seven, would carefully attend to the clock as Mary was growing up, cleaning it with a feather and regularly polishing the brass weights and pendulum. To this day it is in perfect condition and working order.

• Description Thirty-hour wall clock with pendulum and weight-driven movement, made by Kroeger Clockmakers in Rosenthal, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), ca. 1895, serial number 2738. Arched dial with a raised chapter ring is light-coloured with a single dark border around the perimeter. Arch has a decal of a rose and morning glory with greenery, surrounded by a gold scroll. Spandrels are gold scroll decals. White chapter ring with black Roman numerals; white outer rings mark the minute and quarter hours. Two hands; bell function; four weights.

• Mennonite Clock Number MC0207

• Object Name Kroeger Clock

• Serial Number 2738

• Date Created ca. 1895

• Maker Kroeger Clockmakers

• Location Made Rosenthal, Chortitza Colony, Russian Empire (now Ukraine)

• Other Markings No. 2753 (stamped on bottom of brass frame); 3. (stamped on upper right-hand corner of front frame and rear frame); 3 (stamped on back of pendulum on both left and right sides)

• Movement Type Brass frame

• Functions Bell

• Owner Private Owner