94th Auction
2016/11/12
Lot 173
Joseph Martineau Sen., London, Movement No. 2023, 86 mm, 493 g, circa 1750
A small pair-cased coach clock with quarter hour self strike "Grande Sonnerie", quarter repeater and date
Case: outer case - silver, sound holes. Inner case - silver, rear bell, movement protection cap. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee for going train, engraved barrel for repeater, 4 hammers, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance.
Joseph Martineau Senior was an important watchmaker. He is recorded as working in London from 1744 until his death in 1759. His watches are to be found in numerous museums such as the "Metropolitan Museum of Art" in New York or in the "Mathematisch Physikalischer Salon" in Dresden.
The so-called coach clocks are de facto travel clocks, early spring-driven mechanical clocks dating from the time when travellers began to lay value on having accurate timekeepers with them on their journeys. Basically these clocks were oversized pendant or pocket watches that - due to their size - obviously could not be worn on the body. The size was a prerequisite, however, since this type of timepiece needed a strong and robust case and a large balance that was not too sensitive to the environment. Carriage clocks have a large dial on the front that is usually enamel; champlevé or repoussé techniques were used less frequently. They are built with a robust verge movement sitting between two round plates connected with finely cut baluster columns that were often decorated with delicate chasing or fluting. The barrels for clock, strike and alarm are usually finely engraved. The hour strike mechanism originally used a locking disc, which was later replaced by a rack that was capable of repeating. To ensure that the clocks did not suffer during transport, they were normally protected by several cases and additional outer cases often coated with tortoise shell, or they had leather covers. On the journey the clocks most likely sat on a seat in the carriage. Early clocks were created from firegilt bronze, later the majority of them were made from silver; they usually have a diameter between 75 and 200 mm.
A small pair-cased coach clock with quarter hour self strike "Grande Sonnerie", quarter repeater and date
Case: outer case - silver, sound holes. Inner case - silver, rear bell, movement protection cap. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee for going train, engraved barrel for repeater, 4 hammers, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance.
Joseph Martineau Senior was an important watchmaker. He is recorded as working in London from 1744 until his death in 1759. His watches are to be found in numerous museums such as the "Metropolitan Museum of Art" in New York or in the "Mathematisch Physikalischer Salon" in Dresden.
The so-called coach clocks are de facto travel clocks, early spring-driven mechanical clocks dating from the time when travellers began to lay value on having accurate timekeepers with them on their journeys. Basically these clocks were oversized pendant or pocket watches that - due to their size - obviously could not be worn on the body. The size was a prerequisite, however, since this type of timepiece needed a strong and robust case and a large balance that was not too sensitive to the environment. Carriage clocks have a large dial on the front that is usually enamel; champlevé or repoussé techniques were used less frequently. They are built with a robust verge movement sitting between two round plates connected with finely cut baluster columns that were often decorated with delicate chasing or fluting. The barrels for clock, strike and alarm are usually finely engraved. The hour strike mechanism originally used a locking disc, which was later replaced by a rack that was capable of repeating. To ensure that the clocks did not suffer during transport, they were normally protected by several cases and additional outer cases often coated with tortoise shell, or they had leather covers. On the journey the clocks most likely sat on a seat in the carriage. Early clocks were created from firegilt bronze, later the majority of them were made from silver; they usually have a diameter between 75 and 200 mm.
estimated
15.000—20.000 €
Price realized
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