Pierre Jaquet Droz Eight-Tune Triple-Mechanism Musical Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1770
This musical bracket clock, attributed to Pierre Jaquet Droz of La Chaux-de-Fonds, dates to approximately 1770. The mahogany case features a waisted design with ormolu rococo mounts, including foliate scroll feet and pierced brass side grilles.
The door is adorned with a gilt bronze figural scene depicting a lady playing a harpsichord accompanied by two putti playing string instruments. The white enamel dial displays radial Roman numerals and Arabic five-minute intervals. Internally, the clock houses a complex movement comprising three distinct systems: an 8-day going and striking train, a musical bell mechanism playing eight tunes on eleven bells via a pinned cylinder, and two pipe organs.
The larger organ features 14 pipes, while the smaller organ is housed in the clock's cresting and utilizes 9 pipes. The assembly is described as an extremely rare, possibly unique, integration of multiple musical mechanisms within a single clock.
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
- Type
- Musical bracket clock
- Maker
- Pierre Jaquet Droz, a la Chaux-de-Fonds
- Dating
- circa 1770
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Case materials
- Mahogany and ormolu
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Clock dimensions
- 123 x 65 x 29 cm
- Maker / attribution
- Pierre Jaquet Droz
- Musical capabilities
- Eight-tune triple-mechanism
Design
- Maker and Rarity
- The clock is signed by Pierre Jaquet Droz, a clockmaker active in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The auction description notes the rarity of this piece, stating that few clocks by this maker incorporating organs are known to survive. The auction report further suggests that during the era of manufacture, Jaquet-Droz was the primary producer of complex musical clocks in Switzerland. The specific arrangement of a musical bell movement combined with two distinct pipe organs is described as an extremely rare, or potentially unique, configuration for this maker.
- Visible features
- • Figural gilt bronze door mount with musicians • Pierced brass grilles on case sides • White enamel dial with convex profile • Pierced and engraved gilt brass hands
- Case and Dial Design
- The clock is housed in a waisted mahogany case featuring gilt bronze rococo scroll and rocaille mounts. The base rests on foliate scroll feet, while the sides are equipped with pierced brass grilles. A prominent feature is the gilt bronze door mount depicting a lady playing a harpsichord with two putti playing the viola and violin. A flower and scroll finial surmounts the clock. The dial is composed of white enamel with a convex shape. It displays bold Roman numerals for the hours, with an outer minute track and Arabic numerals indicating five-minute intervals. The dial mask incorporates gilt bronze foliate and floral ornamentation. Additionally, a white enamel tune selection dial is located at the lower left, complemented by tune selection and damper levers for the musical bell mechanism.
- Musical and Horological Movement
- The movement is a complex assembly measuring 27 x 10 cm. The timekeeping and striking functions operate on an 8-day going train with a massive fusee and gut line, using a verge escapement and a steel rod pendulum with a circular brass bob. The clock strikes hours and quarters on two bells. Three musical mechanisms are integrated: a bell movement with eleven bells and nineteen hammers playing eight tunes on a 16 cm pinned cylinder; a large organ with 14 pipes driven by two massive fusees; and a small organ with 9 pipes mounted in the cresting. These systems trigger sequentially on the hour or at the user's discretion.
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: The exact uniqueness is suggested but not verified by documentation
- Research required: The internal mechanical condition and functionality remain subject to specialist assessment