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A German engraved gilt-brass and gilt-copper striking and alarm türmchenuhr, striking both standard and Italian hours

MICHAEL GRUBER, PROBABLY NUREMBERG. EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A German engraved gilt-brass and gilt-copper striking and alarm türmchenuhr, striking both standard and Italian hours
Michael Gruber, probably Nuremberg. Early 17th Century
The case surmounted by a double-headed German eagle with Hapsburg crown, above a tiered and balustraded upper gallery mounted with turned urn finials and centred by a patinated metal floral bouquet, the detachable sides with engraved borders to glass panels and with columnar angles above faceted lozenge mounts, the moulded gilt-copper plinth engraved with foliate strapwork and set upon a later plate with elongated bun feet, the dial with engraved silver chapter ring with outer Roman numerals and inner Arabic numerals calibrated 1-6 twice, its centre set with a gilt-brass alarm disc, single brass hand, with silver quarter hour disc below (traces of enamel remaining), its gilt-brass hand with steel square adjustment, the rear with further silver strike indication disc (traces of enamel remaining) with gilt-brass hand, with winding squares below, the one day movement of posted frame construction and with gilt plates, the back-to-back trains with twin gut fusees, four spoke wheelwork, the verge and brass balance escapement with hog's bristle regulation, with faceted side lever on a scale calibrated 1-5, countwheel strike on bell to the tower above, with countwheel for striking 1-12 and then shortly after striking Italian hours, the alarm train with going barrel wound through a foliate engraved plate signed Michael Gruber, with alarm stop lever above the front dial
34.5 cm. high

Literature

Illustrated, Klaus Maurice, Die deutsche Räderuhr, Part II, Munich, 1976, fig.139

Special notice

Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €5,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €5,001 and €400,000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €400,001. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

Michael Gruber was working in the second half of the 16th Century and the early 17th Century. He is recorded as a Master in 1604. A clock attributed to him and dated 1577 was sold Christie's London, The Albert Odmark Collection of Clocks and Watches, 11 March 2005, lot 426.

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