A rare gilt brass small stackfreed alarm clock and calendar, probably South German, c. 1580
11 ¾ in. [29.8 cm.] high.
The base, stem and cases are octagonal with flat chased decoration of scrolls among foliage and fruit. Silvered roman chapter ring enclosing alarm setting disc. The open “C” tip to hour hand is also found on the bristle regulator index. There are shutters to the winding apertures. The finial is figure of Fortuna above a manual 31-day calendar with ratchet and pawl click.
The movement appears to be virtually unaltered save for the removal of the stackfreed cam. It retains its extensive iron backplate furniture including “L" form balance cock and dumbbell balance with hog's bristle regulation. The movement has baluster pillars and latched dial feet. Nag's head striking with decorative gilt hour hammer head with the count wheel mounted above the backplate rather than set into plate The alarm mechanism is in the base, linked to movement by rod through the stem. The arbor for the alarm trip has also been moved to a mechanically more favorable position. There is evidence in the form of pivot holes in the plate to suggest the movement has been re trained to add striking work. This may be one reason that the back of the case appears extended by the insertion of a sleeve. Beyond these changes, there is no evidence of modern restoration and it appears that the clock has not been altered since the early 17th century.
A clock of this shape is sometimes called a spiegeluhr [mirror clock] in German for its resemblance to a hand mirror. The form has its origins in 16th century imagery in which both clocks and mirrors served as symbols of human vanity. |
