‘Plastic Kroeger’

Kroeger Clock, 1834 (MC0219)

The owner's grandfather, Julius G. Toews, bought this clock in 1923 from a Russian immigrant. This clock was repainted at some unknown point in its history. It is on long-term loan at Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada.

• Description Thirty-hour wall clock with pendulum and weight-driven movement, probably made by Abraham Kroeger (1791–1872) in Rosenthal, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), in 1834. Arched dial is yellowed with a plastic-like texture and no border. Arch has three groupings of pink and blue flowers with greenery and the year 1834 in gold, all hand-painted. Spandrels are pink, yellow, and blue flowers with leaves, also hand-painted. Chapter ring is the same colour as the rest of the face, with black Roman numerals. Inside the chapter ring is a ring of hand-painted flowers. One hand; chain drive; two weights.

• Mennonite Clock Number MC0219

• Object Name Kroeger Clock

• Mennonite Heritage Village Accession Number 1966.7000.1191

• Date Created 1834

• Maker Probably Abraham Kroeger (1791–1872)

• Location Made Rosenthal, Chortitza Colony, Russian Empire (now Ukraine)

• Other Markings DK (engraved on pendulum)

• Movement Type Iron plate

• Owner Private Owner

• Notes Arthur Kroeger attributed this clock to David Kroeger (1829–1909), but if the year 1834 is correct, he would have been too young to make this clock. Perhaps David's father, Abraham Kroeger (1791–1872), made the clock and restored it, or the pendulum was scavenged from another clock.

  According to a note by Arthur Kroeger ca. 1995, this clock has a distinct hour hand that is also seen in four other clocks:

  1. One in Washington state, USA

  2. One in the Kauffman Museum, Kansas, USA

  3. One in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada

  4. One in Saskatchewan, Canada