Lot Essay
Gerrit Bramer (1648-1770) was born in Zwolle and came to Amsterdam with his father Willem Bramer, where they worked together until 1734, after which date Willem moved to Kampen. The first mention of Gerrit is in 1712 when he married Florentina Sobel. At this time he owned a workshop and coffeehouse on the east side of the Exchange in Amsterdam. After several changes of location he moved to the Kalverstraat in 1760, where he worked with his son Willem Jan who died in 1765. Gerrit died in 1770 and was burried in the old Lutheran church.
The present lot is a particularly fine early example of Gerrit Bramer's work and can be dated between 1720 and 1725. Typical features of this early work are the sober case, the oval lenticle and the small moonphase with a continuous line of engraving beneath. The decorative elements mounted on top of the hood have been replaced with triumphant angels and the figure of Atlas. Originally these would probably have been stylised vases.
See illustration
The present lot is a particularly fine early example of Gerrit Bramer's work and can be dated between 1720 and 1725. Typical features of this early work are the sober case, the oval lenticle and the small moonphase with a continuous line of engraving beneath. The decorative elements mounted on top of the hood have been replaced with triumphant angels and the figure of Atlas. Originally these would probably have been stylised vases.
See illustration