97th Auction
2018/5/12
Lot 87
Southern German, 84 mm, 507 g, circa 1580
An important, one-handed coach clock with hour self strike and experimental regulating device from Southern German origin
Case: copper, firegilt, rear bell. Dial: copper, firegilt, precision-cut blued iron hand. Movm.: full plate movement, remains of fire gilding, maker's mark, 2 open barrels, 1 hammer, iron train, verge escapement, locking plate with internal teeth, stackfreed to even out the changing torque of the mainspring, new contact mechanism with experimental lever system, foliot.
A similar system for operating the contact of the crown wheel with the foliot was used in a German Renaissance pocket watch that is owned by the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna ("Museum of Art History"). It is illustrated and described in "L'Arte dell'orologeria in Europa" by Guiseppe Brusa, Bramante Editrice, Milan 1978, illustrations 138/139.
Front and back are slightly convex and the case band with sound openings and engraved mauresques is bombé-shaped, which is a typical style of the last quarter of the 16th century. The open-work back of the case is finely decorated with hand-engraved moresques. The Roman hours are engraved near the edge of the firegilt dial, the Arabic numerals for the 24 hours display sit closer to the centre. The centre itself is exquisitely engraved with a compass rose.
The maker’s stamp on the movement plate cannot be fully identified. A crowned wheel is visible, which could be the inspection mark of the city of Mainz, flanked by the letters "N" and presumably "L" or "G".
An important, one-handed coach clock with hour self strike and experimental regulating device from Southern German origin
Case: copper, firegilt, rear bell. Dial: copper, firegilt, precision-cut blued iron hand. Movm.: full plate movement, remains of fire gilding, maker's mark, 2 open barrels, 1 hammer, iron train, verge escapement, locking plate with internal teeth, stackfreed to even out the changing torque of the mainspring, new contact mechanism with experimental lever system, foliot.
A similar system for operating the contact of the crown wheel with the foliot was used in a German Renaissance pocket watch that is owned by the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna ("Museum of Art History"). It is illustrated and described in "L'Arte dell'orologeria in Europa" by Guiseppe Brusa, Bramante Editrice, Milan 1978, illustrations 138/139.
Front and back are slightly convex and the case band with sound openings and engraved mauresques is bombé-shaped, which is a typical style of the last quarter of the 16th century. The open-work back of the case is finely decorated with hand-engraved moresques. The Roman hours are engraved near the edge of the firegilt dial, the Arabic numerals for the 24 hours display sit closer to the centre. The centre itself is exquisitely engraved with a compass rose.
The maker’s stamp on the movement plate cannot be fully identified. A crowned wheel is visible, which could be the inspection mark of the city of Mainz, flanked by the letters "N" and presumably "L" or "G".
Sold
estimated
30.000—50.000 €
Price realized
33.500 €