Lenzkirch mantle clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1880
This German mantle clock, attributed to the maker Lenzkirch and dated to approximately 1880, features a case constructed of oak. The architectural design includes decorative brass elements, such as finials atop the pediment and relief accents below the dial.
The silver-plated dial features engraved Roman numerals and scrollwork patterns, with corner spandrels. The retailer's name, Hardy Brothers, is signed on the lower edge of the chapter ring. The clock operates with an eight-day movement and a quarter-chime system with two gongs. It possesses two winding arbors on the dial for the timekeeping and striking trains. The total height of the object is 45 centimeters. The source specifies that Hardy Brothers, a jewelry and clock retailer based in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, served as the supplier for this timepiece, indicating its historical movement to the Australian market during the late nineteenth century.
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 1880
- Type
- Mantle clock
- Maker
- Lenzkirch
- Height
- 45 cm
- Material
- Oak
- Movement
- 8-day, quarter-chime
- Retailer
- Hardy Brothers
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- Lenzkirch
Design
- Visible features
- • Decorative brass spandrels in the corners of the dial • Two winding arbors present on the clock face • Hardy Brothers signature engraved on the lower dial • Oak construction with architectural detailing
- Case and Dial Design
- The clock is housed in an oak case designed with architectural features. The exterior composition incorporates a pediment section at the top, carved columns, and supports. Decorative brass components are present, including spherical metal finials positioned above the arch and relief castings located below the main dial. The dial is characterized by a silver-plated chapter ring engraved with Roman numerals and decorative scrollwork. The corners of the dial face feature spandrels. The retailer's name is inscribed on the chapter ring as 'HARDY BROS SYDNEY & BRISBANE'.
- Retailer and Provenance
- The clock was retailed by Hardy Brothers in Australia. The presence of the retailer's name on the dial indicates that the timepiece was sold through their jewelry and clock shops in Sydney and Brisbane. This information serves as an indicator of the commercial route and history of the clock during the latter part of the nineteenth century.
- Movement and Functionality
- According to the provided details, the clock is equipped with an eight-day movement. The system utilizes a quarter-chime mechanism striking on two gongs. Two winding arbors are positioned centrally on the dial. These provide the necessary winding for both the timekeeping and the striking train mechanisms of the clock.
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: Internal condition of movement, pendulums, and springs is unverified
- Research required: Authenticity of internal Lenzkirch markings remains to be independently confirmed by the purchaser