A German gilt-metal and enamelled circular table clock with integral sundial
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A German gilt-metal and enamelled circular table clock with integral sundial

THE CASE AND DIAL SECOND QUARTER 16TH CENTURY; LATER PURPOSE-MADE MOVEMENT

Details
A German gilt-metal and enamelled circular table clock with integral sundial
The case and dial second quarter 16th Century; later purpose-made movement
The circular dial with outer engraved depictions of the signs of the Zodiac with inner concentric touchpieces, the outer silver twice XII chapter ring with blue enamelled numerals and half-hour markers, the inner silver concentric ring cast in relief with the twelve signs of the Zodiac, the centre elaborately decorated with polychrome enamel depicting a concentric foliate design with flowering urns and winged herms, later blued steel hand, the case finely cast in relief with two separate hunting scenes; a boar hunt depicting two boars chased by hounds, one hound being mauled by a boar whilst being speared by a hunter with two hunters in pursuit, one carrying a spear, the other on horseback; the second scene depicting a stag hunt with four stags about to be ensnared by a net hung between trees and driven by a number of huntsmen holding spears and another on horseback; the case resting on four winged cherub heads, the sundial hinged to fold to the side of the case and with a silver chapter ring engraved twice 12 and with foliate pierced gnomon and compass, the reverse engraved with birds and foliage, the movement cover engraved with a saints' ring and inner concentric calendar ring with their relevant number of days, the centre engraved with birds within branches and foliage, the purpose-made movement with brass circular plates, going barrels for the going train with verge escapement and stackfreed, the strike on a bell housed between the plates
4¾ in. (12 cm.) dial diameter; 2¾ in. (7 cm.) high
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The band on this clock is cast and chased with a portrait bust of Don Carlos (1545-1568), son of Philip II of Spain and grandson of Charles V.
A very similar portrait of Don Carlos exists in the Lazaro Galdiano Museum, Madrid. It was painted in celebration of his fourteenth birthday and it seems likely that the present clock was made around the same time.

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