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Seth Tomas Clock Co.
‘METRONOME DE
MAELZEL,’
H 9", W 4 1/2"; marked
on the case:
“Metronome de Maelzel
Trade Mark Made by
Seth Thomas Clock Co.
USA.”
photo: liveauctioneers.com

Metronome in the form of a pocket watch
signed “Patek Philippe & Co / Geneve”
made in Switzerland, ca. 1880

of a Maelzel metronome can be found in the Metropolitan
Museum’s collection, acquired by The Met in 1979 as part
of its acquisition of The Crosby Brown Collection of
Musical Instruments.
Ludwig Van Beethoven became the first composer to give his
pieces metronome markings, and even pledged to do away with
indicating such indefinite tempi as “allegretto.” Musicians had
already adopted standardized symbols to indicate time signature, key,
dynamics and note relationships. In the same way, metronome
markings were a way for composers to communicate the tempo at
which they intended a piece to be performed. Others quickly
followed suit. Modernist composers of the 20th century, such as
Stravinsky and Bartók, wrote music demanding stringent rhythmic
precision, and conductors obliged, forming the basis for a pro- Robert Cocks founded his music publishing firm in 1823 and
metronome movement in the music world. went on to become one of the largest musical publishing and accessory
There are various types of metronomes on the market today. manufacturing companies of the era. Robert Cocks metronomes
Mechanical Metronomes are what might well be thought of as the were manufactured in London until 1898. The Cocks firm used two
“classical” metronome. They usually come in a pyramid shape and distinct door emblems on their metronomes; the earlier badge is
use an inverted pendulum to keep the beat. Electronic, or Quartz, believed to have been used prior to 1868 and reads “Robert Cocks &
Metronomes came onto the scene as the more precise way of deter- Co 6 New Burlington St London – Metronome De Maelzel.”
mining time. Quartz metronomes make use of quartz crystal, much After bringing his sons into the business, the firm updated its plaque to
like a watch does. A Digital Metronome is just a piece of software. read “Best English Make London – Metronome De Maelzel” until pro-
It does, however, often provide additional features, duction ended in 1898.
particularly for recording artists. Although digital metronome soft- The Cramer company was founded in 1824 by Johann Baptist
ware has replaced the need for the classic mechanical metronome, Cramer, and used the Cramer name alongside various partners until
the beat goes on for collectors who respect the engineering and 1968 when it was taken over by the piano manufacturer Kemble and
craftsmanship of the box on top of the piano. Co. Metronome production had ceased around 1910. Cramer and
Cocks, both London-based metronome makers, used very similar
Metronome Makers emblems, with both opting around 1870 to use the generic language
Philippe-Nicolas Paquet was born in 1823 into a family of watch of “Best English Make London – Metronome De Maelzel” on their
makers and followed the family tradition by entering the time- products. Prior to this date Cramer metronomes used numerous
keeping industry. He settled in Paris, working for the dedications to the outer edge of the front door
Maelzel Metronome company, and after the death of cartouche depending on the production date. Metronomes
Johann Nepomuk Mäelzel in 1838, from both Victorian London firms were constructed using
eventually took over the running of the factory. Paquet the best quality fittings, and the most desirable wood
went on to establish a new small machine tools plant paneling available, making them highly collectible today.
and metronome producing plant in Beaumont Sur Oise Established in 1885 by Gustav Wittner (another
in 1867, winning many awards at International exhibi- watchmaker) in Germany, the Wittner company quickly
tions. The factory in Beaumont remained in flourished to become the largest manufacturer of
production until 1983. The two dates shown on the modern day metronomes. The design, and shape of the
majority of Paquet – Maelzel metronome trade labels pyramid style metronome have changed little over the
are 1815-1846, the former being the year the patent course of three generations, although new modern pat-
was first approved by Maelzel, and 1846 being the terns and designs prove to be hugely successful. In
year that Paquet took over the company. Paquet is 1921, Gustav’s son Rudolf took over the company at
by far the most common maker of antique
metronome. They produced the metronomes in Metronome, Johann Nepomuk Maelzel
large numbers under their own brand, and then (German, Regensburg 1772-1838)
licensed through many distributors. La Guaira, Venezuela
Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
March 2021 35