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Lot Essay
During the 18th Century in Holland longcase clocks with astronomical indications were only made in Amsterdam and Friesland. The production of these rare clocks cannot have been large as so few of them have survived. In De Nederlandse Staande Klok, Zwolle, 1996, chapter XIII, Jaap Zeeman writes that at the time of writing only twelve of these astronomical clocks are known to exist.
Thomas Thomsen was a prominent clockmaker who was active in Amsterdam circa 1760. He was probably the father of T. Thomson with whom he lived and worked at the 177 Achterburgwal. See Enrico Morpurgo, Nederlandse Klokken- en Horlogemakers Vanaf 1300, Amsterdam, 1970).
The painting surrounding the chapter ring, although not signed, is probably the work of Johann Heinrich Strumpff. He also painted dials for other clockmakers such as Otto van Meurs (1714-1783, Amsterdam) and Arie van Eeden (active circa 1770 in Haarlem). see Jaap Zeeman, De Nederlandse Staande Klok, Zwolle, 1996, pp. 135 and 137).
Thomas Thomsen was a prominent clockmaker who was active in Amsterdam circa 1760. He was probably the father of T. Thomson with whom he lived and worked at the 177 Achterburgwal. See Enrico Morpurgo, Nederlandse Klokken- en Horlogemakers Vanaf 1300, Amsterdam, 1970).
The painting surrounding the chapter ring, although not signed, is probably the work of Johann Heinrich Strumpff. He also painted dials for other clockmakers such as Otto van Meurs (1714-1783, Amsterdam) and Arie van Eeden (active circa 1770 in Haarlem). see Jaap Zeeman, De Nederlandse Staande Klok, Zwolle, 1996, pp. 135 and 137).