Pietre & Jan Morjin Early Dutch Longcase Clock

Important Mid 18th Century Dutch longcase clock with planisphere dial scheepjes mechaniek by Pietre and Jan Morjin, Amsterdam. Veneered in rich burr-walnut.
Netherlands, circa 1740

Height: 275 cms (108.3 ins)
Width: 60 cms (23.7 ins)
Depth: 40 cms (15.8 ins)

Dutch longcase scheepjes mechaniek clock of typical form surmounted by carved wooden figural finials, Atlas and two bearers, the polychrome painted brass dial depicting an allegory on trade and plenty, silvered chapter ring with engraved Roman numerals, signed Pieter En Jan Moryn, Amsterdam, matted centre with subsidiary seconds ring with date aperture, silvered alarm setting disc, ringed winding holes, sector for day of week and zodiac sign above VI, the shaped arch engraved with scene of ships scheepjes mechaniek and a landscape.

Brass four pillar eight-day movement, anchor escapement, Dutch strike and alarm on two bells above, two large and two small weights, pendulum, door-key and crank key

Pieter Morijn (Pierre Morin) was employed circa 1742 in the Oude Leliestraat in Amsterdam (Dutch clockmaker list). Pieter is famous for the production of various pocket watches, table clocks, a planetarium and Amsterdam’s standing Dutch longcase clocks.

Pieter was the son of Jean Morin (Jan Morijn), a fugitive French Protestant (refugee, Huguenot).

Comparative Dutch longcase Clocks at Auction Christies European Noble and Private Collections

Amsterdam | 13 – 14 December 2011 €73,000

The Morjin Family: Masters of 18th-Century Dutch Clockmaking

The Morjin family, particularly Pieter (Pierre) and Jan Morjin, stand as exemplars of the intricate art of 18th-century European clockmaking. Based in Amsterdam, their work combined technical mastery and aesthetic refinement, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of horology.

Origins and Legacy

Operating from the heart of Amsterdam — a city renowned for its cultural vitality and artisanal excellence — the Morjin workshop embodied the zenith of Dutch craftsmanship. Their clocks reflect not only precision engineering but also the elegance and sophistication of the decorative arts of the period.

Pieter Morijn’s Craftsmanship

At the forefront was Pieter Morijn (often recorded as Pierre Morin), active from around 1742 at Oude Leliestraat in Amsterdam. His prolific output ranged from finely crafted table clocks to imposing Dutch longcase clocks, each characterised by innovation, balance, and meticulous artistry.

French and Dutch Influences

The Morjin story is also entwined with European history. Pieter’s father, Jean Morin (Jan Morijn), was a French Protestant (Huguenot) refugee. This heritage introduced a fusion of French elegance and Dutch ingenuity into the family’s designs, producing timepieces that harmonised two of Europe’s greatest horological traditions.

Enduring Significance

The clocks of Pieter and Jan Morjin are more than instruments of timekeeping — they are works of art that capture the spirit of an age defined by exploration, innovation, and beauty. Today, they remain highly prized by collectors and scholars of 18th-century European horology.