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Lot Essay
To gain admittance to the Guild a clockmaker had to produce a clock within strict guidelines. These regulations were set out in the 16th Century and despite the huge developments in horology, were still strictly followed through to the 18th Century. F. J. Britten (Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers, 7th edition, London 1956, p. 65) describes the requirements of the Nuremberg Guild which had to be completed within a year: 'Two timepieces, the first a standing piece, 6 inches high, 4½ broad and 2½ deep in its iron case. Its movement of wheels and pinions to show good craftsmanship and to strike the four quarters and the hours; on one side it shall show the 24 hours of the sun and moonshine during the day and night, indicating the quarters as well as the hours; on the other side shall be the calendar and the planets with the length of day. The other piece shall be of small size, such as one wears hanging at the neck; the movement shall strike up to 12 and have an alarm.'
Some masterpiece clocks were housed in elaborate cases. A clock of comparable design by Anton Schöner in such a case is illustrated, K. Maurice, Die deutsche Räderuhr, Band II, Munich, 1976, fig 709.
Johannes Braun (1688-1730) is recorded working in Augsburg, becoming Free of the Clockmakers' Guild in 1714.
Given that it meets all the necessary criteria this clock is most likely Johannes Braun's masterpiece clock and since we know he was admitted to the guild in 1714 it was most probably made at this time.
Some masterpiece clocks were housed in elaborate cases. A clock of comparable design by Anton Schöner in such a case is illustrated, K. Maurice, Die deutsche Räderuhr, Band II, Munich, 1976, fig 709.
Johannes Braun (1688-1730) is recorded working in Augsburg, becoming Free of the Clockmakers' Guild in 1714.
Given that it meets all the necessary criteria this clock is most likely Johannes Braun's masterpiece clock and since we know he was admitted to the guild in 1714 it was most probably made at this time.