Ming Dynasty Dragon Fire Timer

Inventory Number: OT1809002

This is a rudimentary form of a clock, a timepiece to calculate the duration of time. With an incense stick, it can be applied for the measurement of time.

Made circa the 17th century, during the Ming Dynasty of China. Black lacquered wood with gilt ornaments.

It features a dragon that supports a horizontal incense stick. The incense stick will burn gradually and ignites the strings suspending the metal balls, which fall two-by-two onto the brass tray, and the sound marking the passage of time, creating a regular time signal.

When there was still no mechanical timepiece in ancient China, timepieces like a sundial, gnomon, clepsydra can be used as timekeeping instruments.

Fire timer can be very practical and useful when sundial and gnomon were not working during cloudy days or nights.