D.J. TOSMA, GROUW. LAST QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

Details

A Dutch Friesland walnut longcase clock with moonphase
D.J. Tosma, Grouw. Last quarter 18th Century
The case with convex-moulded caddy top to hood with giltwood finials of Atlas flanked by heralds, scallop moulding above foliate pierced wood sound frets supported on gilt-metal capped pilasters, foliate pierced side frets, the trunk with foliate carving to top of door and centre by a gilt-brass lenticle cast as Chronos with an owl, the bombé base resting on carved claw feet to the front and blocks to the rear, the dial painted with a balloon floating above a watery landscape with figures in the foreground gesticulating and shooting at it, the lower spandrels painted with flowers and fruit, the silvered arcaded chapter ring with Roman and Arabic numerals and signed D.J.TOSMA GROUW, pierced steel black painted hands, the gilt centre with large penny moonphase aperture and further engraved with foliage, the movement with anchor escapement, Dutch strike on two bells and with trip repeat
2.54m. high

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The first manned balloon flight took place on 21 November 1783. Jean-Francoise Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis of Arlandes took off in a balloon made by Etienne de Montgolfier. Their twenty minute flight seems not to have inspired clockmakers greatly. However, the second flight, which took place on 1 December 1783 had far more impact. Jacques Alexander César Charles developed a balloon filled with hydrogen and had it made by the Robert brothers. It was this balloon which had the distinctive boat-shaped basket that we see on the so-called 'Montgolfier' mantel clocks of the period and on the dial of the present clock.

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