South German Renaissance Drum-Shaped Table Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1600
This horizontal drum-shaped Renaissance table clock with hour striking is described by the auction house as dating to circa 1600 and of presumed Southern German origin.
The firegilt brass case measures 85 by 101 mm and stands on three bun feet. Its top plate features an engraved chapter ring displaying Roman hours I–XII and Arabic numerals 1–24, twelve raised touch pieces for tactile night reading, and a central engraved sunburst motif tracked by a single blued iron hand. The cylindrical case band is decorated with scrolling foliate engraving, two inverted coats of arms, and heart-shaped pierced sound openings.
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
- Hand
- Single blued iron hand
- Type
- Renaissance table clock
- Dimensions
- 85 x 101 mm
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Case Construction
- Brass, firegilt, engraved on all sides
- Dial Configuration
- Roman hours I-XII, Arabic numerals 1-24, and 12 touch pieces
- Movement Mechanism
- Solid iron frame with verge escapement and later balance
Design
- Visible features
- • Cylindrical firegilt brass drum-shaped case resting on three low bun feet • Horizontal dial with an outer track of Roman numerals I through XII, an inner track of Arabic numerals 1 through 24, and raised touch pieces • Engraved multi-pointed sunburst design radiating from the central arbor • Single blued iron pointer mounted on the center arbor with a counterpoised tail • Trefoil- or heart-shaped sound apertures pierced around the upper register of the drum wall • Finely engraved foliate scrollwork and heraldic shield motifs around the side band • Small winding aperture visible on the lower side band
- Dial Configuration
- The horizontal dial is made of firegilt brass and features an engraved central sunray motif. Time is tracked by a single blued iron hand mounted on the center arbor. The chapter ring is engraved with Roman numerals I–XII and an outer track of Arabic numerals 1–24. The dial includes twelve touch pieces to facilitate reading the time by touch.
- Movement and Mechanism
- The movement is housed in the lower part of the drum and utilizes a solid iron frame, brass and iron wheels, a count wheel, and a winding bypass for the striking train. A gilt balance cock is positioned on the underside of the movement. The mechanism includes a verge escapement. The auction documentation notes that the bell is a later addition and the three-arm brass balance is a later replacement.
- Case and Exterior Construction
- The clock is housed in a firegilt brass, cylindrical, drum-shaped case measuring 85 by 101 mm. The case features profiled edges and is engraved on all sides with floral and foliate scrolls, hatching motifs, and two heraldic coats of arms, both of which are engraved upside down. The assembly rests on three bun feet. The upper section of the drum is pierced with heart-shaped sound openings to accommodate the bell, which is noted as a later addition. The baseplate's rim is engraved with a stylized floral motif, and its center features flame-like foliate scrolls surrounding a mascaron. A winding aperture is visible on the lower side band.
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 source reports the bell as a later addition and notes the balance is also a later replacement.
- Research required: Southern German origin is catalogued as presumed by the auction house.
- Research required: Movement and baseplate underside are not visible in the supplied photograph.