Jugendstil Grandfather Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1900
This Jugendstil grandfather clock, originating from the Darmstadt area, is dated to approximately 1900. It features a solid oak body finished with a dark stain.
The cabinet construction incorporates decorative brass appliques and intricate floral wood carvings. A notable design element is the open-work section that allows visibility of the pendulum movement. The clock is fitted with an ornate brass dial featuring a raised number circle. Internally, the timepiece is powered by a massive brass plate movement, which the auction description attributes to the German manufacturer Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne.
The mechanism operates using a Graham escapement with pallets and is driven by chains and weights. It provides an approximate one-week power reserve and includes a half-hour strike function on a large gong. The total height of the piece is reported as approximately 225 cm, with a condition report of 2-3.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1900
- Type
- Grandfather clock
- Maker
- Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne
- Height
- 225 cm
- Strike
- Half-hour strike
- Material
- Dark-stained solid oak
- Escapement
- Graham escapement
- Power Reserve
- Approx. 1 week
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne
Design
- Visible features
- • Open-pendulum design integrated into the case structure • Visible brass chains suspended behind the dial area • Brass hinges and corner plates applied to the lower cabinet section • Raised chapter ring on the circular brass dial
- Movement and Mechanism
- The internal timekeeping mechanism is a massive brass plate movement, identified in the documentation as a product of Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne. The movement utilizes a Graham escapement, which includes pallets to regulate the clock's accuracy. This mechanism is driven by a traditional system of weights and chains, which are visible within the cabinet. The clock is engineered for a running time of approximately one week on a single winding. In addition to timekeeping, the movement includes a complication for a half-hour strike, which sounds against a large gong.
- Case and Exterior Design
- The grandfather clock features a tall, vertical cabinet constructed from solid oak, which has been treated with a dark stain. The exterior is detailed with floral carvings and functional as well as decorative brass appliques. The design incorporates an open-pendulum area, which reveals the rhythmic motion of the internal components to the viewer. This design choice is balanced by the solid construction of the base and hood. The clock face is comprised of a decorated brass dial. It features a raised number circle, providing depth and contrast against the dial surface. The overall height of the clock, recorded at approximately 225 cm, places it as a floor-standing unit consistent with large horological instruments of the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Attribution and Reported Condition
- The origin of the piece is associated with the Darmstadt area of Germany, with an approximate date of 1900. The attribution of the movement to Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne is based on marks documented during the inspection of the lot. This manufacturer was active during the period, providing a specific context for the internal construction. Regarding the physical status of the clock, the auction description provides a condition assessment of 2-3 for both the movement and the housing.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Attribution to Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne is based on internal marking reports
- Research required: General condition of the movement and housing is self-reported by the auction house as 2-3