Lot Essay
A Dutch automaton ship longcase clock with casework of related design was sold Christie's London, Important Clocks, Watches and Marine Chronometers, 9 June 1999, lot 92.
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Details
A Dutch walnut and inlaid automaton longcase clock, mid 18th century
The case with breakarch hood with fretwork cornices (some losses), central carved eagle and scroll pedestal for a giltwood and painted Atlas finial, flanked by giltwood angels blowing trumpets, with breakarch sound frets to the sides, the chamfered front angles with gilt-bronze composite capitals, the trunk door with moulded frame and wavy top and bottom, with central lenticle within a rocaille cast gilt-bronze frame modelled with a figure of Chronos, on bombé plinth with marquetry and line inlay, raised on stylized claw feet, the 13¼in. brass dial with engraved border, C-scroll spandrels to the silvered chapter ring with arcaded and leaf engraved ornament, signed on two scrolling silvered plaques Paulus Bramer en Soon Amsterdam, the matted centre also engraved with leafy scrolls, with date aperture above rolling moonphase, ringed winding holes, silvered alarm-setting disc beneath cut steel hands, a silvered and engraved disc below with overlaid divisions and giving day of the week, with corresponding deity and zodiacal symbol, the arch with five painted automaton rocking ships of the line and a rowing boat moving against a later plain backplate, the four pillar rack striking movement with anchor escapement, alarm train to one side, with Dutch strike on two bells -- 98in. (249cm.) high
The case with breakarch hood with fretwork cornices (some losses), central carved eagle and scroll pedestal for a giltwood and painted Atlas finial, flanked by giltwood angels blowing trumpets, with breakarch sound frets to the sides, the chamfered front angles with gilt-bronze composite capitals, the trunk door with moulded frame and wavy top and bottom, with central lenticle within a rocaille cast gilt-bronze frame modelled with a figure of Chronos, on bombé plinth with marquetry and line inlay, raised on stylized claw feet, the 13¼in. brass dial with engraved border, C-scroll spandrels to the silvered chapter ring with arcaded and leaf engraved ornament, signed on two scrolling silvered plaques Paulus Bramer en Soon Amsterdam, the matted centre also engraved with leafy scrolls, with date aperture above rolling moonphase, ringed winding holes, silvered alarm-setting disc beneath cut steel hands, a silvered and engraved disc below with overlaid divisions and giving day of the week, with corresponding deity and zodiacal symbol, the arch with five painted automaton rocking ships of the line and a rowing boat moving against a later plain backplate, the four pillar rack striking movement with anchor escapement, alarm train to one side, with Dutch strike on two bells -- 98in. (249cm.) high
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.