Clock No. 419
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Purchase Price |
$2,100 |
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Weights |
1 |
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Length |
31 inches |
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Wall Stabilizers |
New |
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Case Condition |
1 |
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Winding Key |
No |
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Mechanism |
Dirty |
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Mechanism Mount |
Wood Seat board |
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Beat Scale |
Yes |
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Pendulum |
Brass back |
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Clock 419
Base
Dial
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Interior
Signature
Top
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The good news is the first name is still fairly discernable, but, as regards the second name, if there was more than the letter C, it is no longer there. I spent a bit of time looking for a match in Claterbos but no luck.
Miniature weight-driven clocks are unusual, and very sought after by Vienna Regulator collectors. And this clock, with its beautiful presence and very nice finish will, I trust, attract attention. Note the brass backed pendulum bob, only four inches in diameter and in very nice condition (one very minor ding). This is one of the first features I always look for to confirm the desirability of a Biedermeier piece. This clock really does have a beautiful and original finish - amazing considering its age. While the clock looks dark brown in the pictures, when you look closely you can see the deep maroon that reflects the underlying color on this clock. It is not a clock with a faux finish - it was originally a deep maroon finished piece!
The 5-inch dial, 1.25 by 2.6 inch weight (with its knurled-edge top cover), 1-inch pulley (one of those pulleys that make a statement about the clock - how even the smallest piece was important to the maker). The dial is in good condition, with the script to the top of the dial center, no chips, and 2 hairline cracks to the dial center - none to the chapter ring. The hands are works of art - I have attempted in the pictures to show some of the very fine file work, including the extremely narrow rims of the two circles on the hour hand. It is this handwork that makes these clocks so desirable.
The side glass appears to be old, the door later. The clock comes with its original, and very small beat brass scale. The numbers on the beat scale are barely visible - with my growing appreciation for originality, I would leave it just as it is. But it would be easy to replace the numbers.
Note too the simplicity of its design, complimented by the beautiful execution. This clock is an excellent example of the restrained and simple elegance of the Biedermeier period. I have a thing for the smaller clocks, especially when they have all the right bits with them - from the small dial/bob, to the high quality mechanisms that have to cope with a shorter weight drop than the larger ones, but still run a week, on a very small weight.
Caveats: This clock has new wall stabilizers, is missing its headpiece and I suspect the bottom finial is a replacement. Nicely done, but still in question.
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