94th Auction

2016/11/12

Lot 430

Ball-shaped fragment of a Renaissance pendant watch, of museum quality and exceptional historical importance; a pomander from the circle of Peter Henlein, circa 1520
Case: bronze, remains of firegilt plating. Three hinged halves with a hook.
Both halves show four elaborately engraved heads in profile each, i.e., eight portrait medallions in an antique-looking style on the outer shell of the piece. Inner halve with hour dial, central leaf rosette, touch studs, 12h and 24h division. Diameter of 400 mm.
Similar pieces are illustrated and described in: Ernst von Bassermann-Jordan, "Alte Uhren und ihre Meister": "Bisamäpfel aus Peter Henleins Zeit", Leipzig 1926, p. 46-51.
The combination of pomander and timepiece – the pomander watch – probably dates back to the early 16th century. Famous Nuremberg locksmith and watchmaker Peter Henlein (circa 1479/80-1542) is regarded as the inventor of this portable kind of watch; probably he was also the maker of this piece, which was created from firegilt bronze.
The lot comes with the prestigious Peter Henlein medal awarded in 1988 to the watch and clock museum Wuppertal for its outstanding achievements, by the "Zentralverband für Uhren, Schmuck und Zeitmesstechnik" (German Federation of Timepieces, Jewelry, and Timekeeping Technology).

Sold

estimated
5.00020.000 €
Price realized
1.300 €