A SMALL FRISIAN POLYCHROME PAINTED STRIKING 'STOELSCHIPPERTJE' (BARGE CLOCK) WITH ALARM
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A SMALL FRISIAN POLYCHROME PAINTED STRIKING 'STOELSCHIPPERTJE' (BARGE CLOCK) WITH ALARM

WL. SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY

Details
A SMALL FRISIAN POLYCHROME PAINTED STRIKING 'STOELSCHIPPERTJE' (BARGE CLOCK) WITH ALARM
WL. SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY
The wooden 'stoel' flanked to each side by a vase-shaped ear, the reverse carved with initials W:L, the polychrome painted iron dial decorated with a village scene above the Roman chapter ring, brass hands, the hour hand (later) with alarm disc and brass pointer, pierced gilt lead ornaments to the top and sides with cherub masks, the cresting to the top of the dial with stamped initials W:L, the short duration movement with four brass ring turned baluster pillars, verge escapement with integral back-swinging pendulum, strike and alarm on bell above
26 cm. high (overall); the movement 7 cm. high
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

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
J. Zeeman, De Nederlandse Stoelklok, Assen 1969, pp.197-206
Dr. J.L. Sellink, Dutch Antique Domestic Clocks, Leiden, 1973, pp.241-243
Catalogue Zaans Uurwerk Museum, Klokken, 1976, p.28

The 'schippertje' (barge clock) may be considered a miniature version of the conventional 'Frisian stoelklok'. The clock's name is said to derive from its use on rolling inland barges. The special feature on 'schippertjes' is the integral back-swinging pendulum, rigidly connected to the verge. This arrangement prevents the pendulum bob from making contact with the movement or bracket -- and therefore stop swinging -- when the barge rolls.
Dating 'schippertjes' is not without its difficulties. Zeeman describes three examples of 'stoelschippertjes' which are generally considered to be 18th Century examples, all with integral back-swinging pendulums. Zeeman refers to an academic discussion about clocks with the pendulum swinging to the side which some consider to be the only true 'staartschippertjes'. One feature which is important in dating these types of clocks as being 18th Century examples is the size of the movement. Known 18th Century clocks all have small movements varying in size from 7.5 cm. to 9 cm. in height. The present clock, with a 7 cm. high movement, may therefore be considered as a very small and rare example of an 18th Century 'stoelschippertje'.

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