234 - Anonymous - June 5, 1585

Anonymous - June 5, 1585 A fine, small tabernacle clock, likely from southern Germany, with an hourly chime Dimensions: 205 mm, circa 1585, Origin: Southern Germany Case: Brass, fire-gilt, square in cross-section, richly engraved with foliage on all sides; the base features curved cutouts. The four corners have fluted pilasters. At the top is the bell, engraved with ribbons and foliage motifs, crowned by a female figure; a short pendulum is located at the rear. Dial: Front—applied fire-gilt brass ring with 12 hour markers for nighttime time-reading, inlaid silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals “I–XII” and Arabic numerals for 24 hours, central alarm disc with Arabic numerals and a central engraved sunray motif, single blued iron hand, winding arbor. Back—hour strike control dial with Arabic numerals, a single blued iron hand, and a winding arbor. Movement: Iron frame, iron wheels, 2 x chain/fusee for the going and striking trains, 1 hammer, verge escapement, later short pendulum, alarm mechanism removed. A tabernacle clock is an elaborately designed table or wall clock from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, whose case is shaped like a small, ornate tower. The case generally has a rectangular cross-section, stands on feet or a plinth, and is often surmounted by a dome or small decorative elements known as finials. The finely crafted cases were frequently made of gilded bronze, brass, or gilded copper, sometimes incorporating wood or ivory. These clocks reached their peak during the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century. The principal centers of production were cities in southern Germany, such as Augsburg and Nuremberg, as well as Austria. As table clocks, they were powered by a mainspring, while wall clocks often used weights. Many of these clocks were also equipped with additional functions, such as an hour strike or an alarm. They served as practical everyday objects, but were also prized works of art, status symbols, and collector’s items for princely courts. Case: very good, slightly repaired, slightly rubbed, rebuilt. Dial: very good, slightly rubbed. Movement: very good, missing some parts, capable of running, rebuilt, cleaning recommended.