# Clock and gunpowder horn

- Date: c. 1590 - c. 1596
- Medium: iron (metal)
- Classification: mechanical clock
- Dimensions: height 38.9 cm x width 20.5 cm x depth 16.4 cm
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/NG-NM-7687--761b560cb51ca15970ff3564d4160d0f)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/ffVgY/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

This clock was originally intended as merchandise for sale or as a gift. It was hung up in the ‘Save House’ as the only means of providing a sense of time during the long, polar nights. On 3 December 1596, it froze. Barentsz and Van Heemskerck shoved a parting letter into the gunpowder horn when they left. Three centuries later, the horn was rediscovered with the letter still inside. The letter cannot be exhibited due to its fragility.