关于清代的苏钟

A Discussion of Qing Dynasty Suzhou clocks (Suzhong)

“苏钟”是清代苏州所制钟表的简称,一般认为,苏州地区钟表制造的起源甚早.水平很高。但以往对苏钟的研究推测演绎成份居多,影响了我们对苏钟乃至中国钟表史的整体认识。本文即在前人研究之基础上,从文献和实物等方面对苏钟历史进行重新考察,从而获得对苏钟历史较为客观的描述,纠正了以往研究者对苏钟认识的偏颇之处。

Suzbong is the simple term for clocks manufactured in Suzbou and it is generally believed that the Suzhou was where mechanical clocks of a high standard were first manufactured in China. However, there has been much conjecture in the study of the evolution of Suzbou clocks and this has clouded our understanding not only of the subject, but also of the history of Chinese clocks in general. On the basis of earlier research, as well as documentary and material evidence, the author re-assesses the history of Suzhou clocks and from his objective description of the history of Suzhou clocks corrects many errors in the received understanding and previous scholarship on the subject.