#elephant clock

Creating a working clock was a significant challenge in the Middle Ages. But for Ismail al-Jazari, the challenge was to build one—with style!

Standing tall over crowds frequenting the Ibn Batuta Mall in Dubai is a magnificent elephant supporting a howdah on its back. Three men and a number of animals populate the towering structure, all frozen in time. Every half hour, they spring to life, striking the hour only to return to their resting positions, dutifully awaiting the passage of time.

The Elephant Clock, designed by the 13th century Muslim polymath and inventor Badi al-Zaman al-Jazari, was only one of his finest and most intricate inventions. A gifted engineer and mechanic, al-Jazari created numerous mechanical devices ranging from toys to clocks with varying degrees of complexity, 50 of which he recorded in detail, complete with assembly instructions, and accompanied by beautiful color miniatures 1 in his well known treatise 'Kitab fi ma‘rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya (Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices)' 2.

This photograph shows a page from al-Jazari's manuscript illustrating the Elephant Clock in all its spectacular detail. As fascinating as the illustration is, the mechanics that made the clock work are equally incredible. Dedicating an entire chapter to this clock, al-Jazari delineated the working mechanism of the clock, which ran as follows: 'every half hour, the rider would hit the elephant with his pickax and the bird would turn, allowing the falcon to release a pellet into the dragon’s mouth. The dragon would next drop the ball into a pot, where it hit a gong before ending up in a bowl at the bottom of the pot. The time would then be determined by counting the balls gathered in the bowl.' 2

Not only is the internal mechanism of the clock ingenious in its complexity, but the exterior is equally noteworthy, both for its beauty and its nod to the cultural diversity of the Islamic world.

'Jazari really appreciated the diversity of Islamic civilization and the sources from which it had received so much knowledge and inspiration.

The elephant clock featured the use of Greek scientific principles, an Indian timekeeping device, an Indian elephant, an Egyptian phoenix, Arab mechanical “men”, a Persian carpet, Chinese dragons. The clock also featured a figure of Salāh ad-Dīn al-Ayyūbi, the Kurdish Muslim liberator of Jerusalem from the Crusader and founder of Egypt’s Ayyubid dynasty,  a man who al-Jazari greatly admired.' 3 An early example of multiculturalism, al-Jazari proudly acknowledges and honors the sources of his inspiration in this wonderful creation. Maybe we could all take a lesson from his work; how various cultures and peoples can come together to produce works of immense beauty, complexity and ingenuity.

Adding clocks to your drawing or living room can enhance the impression of the space. But what if you have an aesthetic design that you think would go well with your royal or vintage theme of the house?

As a trend, people with vintage-themed houses often have their soft corners toward buying elephant clocks for their living room decor enhancement. If you believe an elephant clock has been missing from your overall living room decor, here’s how to style it for your living space.

1. Create a Focal Point With It

Source: https://www.jrehomedecor.com/product/embassador-dancing-elephant-clock/#view-4

The charm of a living room is enhanced when you add a focal point around the space. The elephant clock is what would help you implement that! Place the clock at a point where it would be visible to everyone inside through the main door. Let them look at the elegant elephant clock, and make it a conversation starter once they settle down on the couch.

2. Add the Vintage Element to Your Space

The elephant clocks are meant to add vintage appeal to your overall living room decor. If you have established a royal theme for your home interior, then the elephant clock can be an attractive symbol to complement the theme. Elephants were the royal symbols for kings and queens in the past. So, your royal theme will welcome the elephant clock as an integral part of the overall decor.

3. Versatile Decor Piece

It is true this article talks about decorating the drawing room with an elephant clock, but it is a completely versatile decor piece. You can add it to your family room, dining room, foyer, living room, etc. If you want to replace an art piece that doesn’t seem interesting anymore on the dining room wall, an elephant clock is a perfect inclusion.

4. Start a Story-Style Decor Revolving Around it

Source: https://www.jrehomedecor.com/product/embassador-royal-elephant-clock/#view-5

If you haven’t planned on a theme for the home interior renovation, take inspiration from an elephant clock. Check out the colors of the clock you buy, and use them across the drawing room to set up the ambiance. A theme based on the decor pieces would eventually blend proficiently to create a majestic appeal.

5. Pair it Up With Warm Lighting

You must pair up the elephant clock with warm lighting right above it to draw the focus of people toward it. When you have been picky about choosing an elephant clock in specific, you need to give it prime importance around the space as well. Perfect lighting is what would help you with the needful. 

Conclusion

An elephant clock can be used in several ways to decorate your living or drawing room. It is a very simple design, but it adds a vibrant elegance to your space when you want a royal theme around the house. So, check out the elephant clock collection of JRE Home Decor, and get the one that suits your decor needs the most!