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Lot 62
A very rare late 16th century Flemish gilt brass travel clock with alarm and original outer caseStamped 'Brussels' and maker's mark 'C' within a crowned shield cartouche, Circa 1580
11 June 2013, 13:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £44,450 inc. premium
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A very rare late 16th century Flemish gilt brass travel clock with alarm and original outer case
Stamped 'Brussels' and maker's mark 'C' within a crowned shield cartouche, Circa 1580
The square section slip case engraved with foliate scrolls surmounted by a dome with reticulated pierced band between four turned finials, beneath a ring handle, the sides pierced for the three winding squares, marked 'R' (alarm), 'S' (strike) and 'L' (going train), stamped 'Brussel' and with a 'C' within a crowned shield cartouche.The later 2.25 inch silvered Roman chapter ring with inner quarter hour track, half hour markers, the engraved centre with an engraved silvered single hand and integral brass alarm setting hand.The gilt brass posted frame movement secured to the case via two sprung catches with tapered square section pillars to the corners and tapered frames each with an ogee cut-out to the lower edge. The going train with gut fusee and verge on a later spring balance (formerly balance wheel with hog bristle regulation).The alarm and strike trains with going barrel striking on a bell, the strike train with numbered countwheel.The outer leather covered case with pyramidal cover, strap hinges, lock and retaining loops for the missing handle (two lacking) 19cm high.
The square section slip case engraved with foliate scrolls surmounted by a dome with reticulated pierced band between four turned finials, beneath a ring handle, the sides pierced for the three winding squares, marked 'R' (alarm), 'S' (strike) and 'L' (going train), stamped 'Brussel' and with a 'C' within a crowned shield cartouche.The later 2.25 inch silvered Roman chapter ring with inner quarter hour track, half hour markers, the engraved centre with an engraved silvered single hand and integral brass alarm setting hand.The gilt brass posted frame movement secured to the case via two sprung catches with tapered square section pillars to the corners and tapered frames each with an ogee cut-out to the lower edge. The going train with gut fusee and verge on a later spring balance (formerly balance wheel with hog bristle regulation).The alarm and strike trains with going barrel striking on a bell, the strike train with numbered countwheel.The outer leather covered case with pyramidal cover, strap hinges, lock and retaining loops for the missing handle (two lacking) 19cm high.
Footnotes
A very similar movement in a case signed by Hans de Vals (or Hans de Evalo) is illustrated in Tardy's 'La Pendule Francaise'(1974 edition), volume three, pages 725-732. The main similarities are in the top plate, shaped frames, layout of the trains and execution of the wheelwork.
Hans de Vals was clockmaker to Royal household and to Philip II of Spain between circa 1558 and 1598, but he is noted by Tardy as originating in Brussels. He supplied clocks to the Spanish court which were used as diplomatic gifts, including an example given to the first Tokugawa Shogun in 1611 for the hospitality shown by the Japanese to survivors from the Spanish galleon 'San Francisco' which was carrying the acting Governor of the Philippines. That clock is believed to have been the first mechanical clock in Japan.
This particular clock of almost 430 years of age is a very rare survivor and is further highlighted with its original travelling box.