99th Auction
2019/5/11
Lot 165
Presumably Augsburg, Height 380 mm, circa 1580
An astronomical monstrance clock with 24 hour dial, moon phase, aspect display, astrolab and hour strike
Case: brass and copper, firegilt, engraved and chased. Dial: firegilt/silvered brass. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, firegilt, elaborately engraved, keywind, verge escapement, gut/fusee and barrel for going train, barrel for striking train, control dial for striking mechanism, regulating scale divided "1-8" for hog's bristol regulator, foliot.
The chased and round firegilt copper foot is supported by three paw feet and has a three-stage dome shape. It is engraved with scrollwork and three medallions with profile portraits; the upper end of the stand is open-worked. A central three-dimensional Atlas figure carries the large barrel-shaped case with dial and clock movement.
A chapter ring with 24 hours (2 x "I-XII") has been fitted near the outer edge of the front, followed by the gilt brass astrolabe. In the centre sits a disk with engraved astrological aspect and moon phase window.
The case has a bell on the top which resides in a small open-work, barrel-shaped casing in the style of a "clock-watch". The movement sits on the back and is concealed by a removable disc that has been elaborately engraved with concentric circles, calendar denotations and specifications such as "Anno a Christi" 1580 and "Numerus aureus" (the Golden number is a number assigned to a calendar year denoting its place in a Metonic cycle. The Golden numbers are assigned to this position, which determines the date of Easter, in consecutive order). There are seven additional calendar specifications.
The history of monstrance clocks
Most monstrance clocks were ordered by high members of the clergy and are therefore always unique pieces of great value. A draft of the design had to be made; more requirements included hour and quarter hour strike, alarm, verge escapement, and many other indications. Apprentices usually had no money and often indebted themselves heavily for their masterpiece, especially since the making of a unique piece also required the appropriate special tools. Since such a clock quite easily cost the equivalent of four times the annual salary of a senior civil servant at the time, wealthy buyers were extremely sought-after.
An astronomical monstrance clock with 24 hour dial, moon phase, aspect display, astrolab and hour strike
Case: brass and copper, firegilt, engraved and chased. Dial: firegilt/silvered brass. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, firegilt, elaborately engraved, keywind, verge escapement, gut/fusee and barrel for going train, barrel for striking train, control dial for striking mechanism, regulating scale divided "1-8" for hog's bristol regulator, foliot.
The chased and round firegilt copper foot is supported by three paw feet and has a three-stage dome shape. It is engraved with scrollwork and three medallions with profile portraits; the upper end of the stand is open-worked. A central three-dimensional Atlas figure carries the large barrel-shaped case with dial and clock movement.
A chapter ring with 24 hours (2 x "I-XII") has been fitted near the outer edge of the front, followed by the gilt brass astrolabe. In the centre sits a disk with engraved astrological aspect and moon phase window.
The case has a bell on the top which resides in a small open-work, barrel-shaped casing in the style of a "clock-watch". The movement sits on the back and is concealed by a removable disc that has been elaborately engraved with concentric circles, calendar denotations and specifications such as "Anno a Christi" 1580 and "Numerus aureus" (the Golden number is a number assigned to a calendar year denoting its place in a Metonic cycle. The Golden numbers are assigned to this position, which determines the date of Easter, in consecutive order). There are seven additional calendar specifications.
The history of monstrance clocks
Most monstrance clocks were ordered by high members of the clergy and are therefore always unique pieces of great value. A draft of the design had to be made; more requirements included hour and quarter hour strike, alarm, verge escapement, and many other indications. Apprentices usually had no money and often indebted themselves heavily for their masterpiece, especially since the making of a unique piece also required the appropriate special tools. Since such a clock quite easily cost the equivalent of four times the annual salary of a senior civil servant at the time, wealthy buyers were extremely sought-after.
Sold
estimated
35.000—50.000 €
Price realized
31.300 €