James Stratton
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Lot 46
A 17th century German table clock of small size Martin Zoller
8 July 2015, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £4,375 inc. premium
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A 17th century German table clock of small size
Martin Zoller
The ebonised case with deep entablature over fluted columns with rusticated bases over the ripple moulded base raised on bun feet, the 2.75 inch gilt dial engraved with allegorical figures of the four seasons, bordering a chapter ring inscribed with the months, each numbered from 1 to 12 and number of days in the month engraved below, the concentric Roman chapter with punched star half hour markers, read via a cut steel hand, the silver and champleve enamel centre with Arabic calendar and decorated with birds amongst foliage, the date shown by a cut brass hand, the signed plated movement converted from balance to pendulum with verge escapement and single gut fusee, the spring barrel strike train with numbered countwheel striking on a bell, the rectangular plates united by four baluster pillars and mounted with elaborate engraved and pierced foliate backcocks, the movement mounted in an oak sleeve, later cut to allow for the pendulum rod. 17cm (6.5in)
The ebonised case with deep entablature over fluted columns with rusticated bases over the ripple moulded base raised on bun feet, the 2.75 inch gilt dial engraved with allegorical figures of the four seasons, bordering a chapter ring inscribed with the months, each numbered from 1 to 12 and number of days in the month engraved below, the concentric Roman chapter with punched star half hour markers, read via a cut steel hand, the silver and champleve enamel centre with Arabic calendar and decorated with birds amongst foliage, the date shown by a cut brass hand, the signed plated movement converted from balance to pendulum with verge escapement and single gut fusee, the spring barrel strike train with numbered countwheel striking on a bell, the rectangular plates united by four baluster pillars and mounted with elaborate engraved and pierced foliate backcocks, the movement mounted in an oak sleeve, later cut to allow for the pendulum rod. 17cm (6.5in)
Footnotes
Martin Zoller is listed as working in Augsburg from 1590-1633.
The form of the clock is unusual. The decoration on the dial suggests that this has always been a vertical clock. While the movement is similar to horizontal table clocks, the dial feet and their reciprocal holes in the frontplate appear to be original, so it appears to have always been of an upright format. Originally it would have had a verge balance that was later changed to pendulum, the addition of a later backdoor allowing for the clearance needed for the pendulum.
The case is again unusual. There is evidence that it originally had a sliding back cover and that the sleeve it sits in originally continued unbroken around all four sides, only later being cut for the pendulum. Evidence for the originality of the sleeve can be seen in the use of ebony veneer to the edges that has been subsequently covered by a later ebonised rim. When used in conjunction with a sliding door, the close fitting sleeve would have helped to deter dust.