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Geneva, Mar 29, 2009

LOT 330

Renaissance Wall Clock German, probably Nuremberg. Made circa 1570- 1580. Very fine, early and very rare, gilt brass, three-train, quarterstriking, weight-driven Renaissance wall clock with quarterhour indication and steel posted movement. To be sold without reserve

C. Rectangular, gilt brass, four outset columns finely chased with grotesque masks and foliage, molded cornicing, the left hand side with finely engraved panel depicting a soldier, his sword drawn and holding a halberd, at his feet a scorpion (Scorpio) and a goat (Capricorn), the right hand side engraved with a soldier, his sword raised, at his feet a half-man half-beast archer (Sagittarius) and two fishes (Pisces), the back engraved with a soldier, his sword downcast, a child under his arm and at his feet a mermaid water-carrier (Aquarius) and a ram (Aries), the top with stylised foliate engraving and loop for wall suspension, four turned finials, bells mounted on a U-shaped frame, the base with holes for the ropes. D. Circular with radial Roman numerals, dot half-hour divisions between, inner quarter-hour chapter numbered I-IIII with corresponding hand, outer fiveminute track, outermost quarter-hour track, center engraved with foliate strapwork, the dial mask engraved with foliate strapwork and a profile portrait above and below the dial. Steel bell hands. M. Steel birdcage-type latched to the case, with four square-section pillars with molded capitals, three trains between narrow plates, the going train with verge escapement, bob pendulum, the quarter-striking train with internal countwheel and steel fly, the hour striking train with countwheel on the backplate and brass fly, the striking with vertical steel rods and springs with sideways action, striking on two bells on the top of the case. Dim. 17 x 8.5 x 8.5 cm.