The Private Collection of Theodor Beyer

Hotel Baur Au Lac, Zurich, Nov 16, 2003

LOT 25

Unsigned, Chaux de Fonds, circa 1760. Exceptionally fine and rare gilt brass on wood, tortoiseshell inlaid musical hour and quarter hour-striking cartel clock playing 8 melodies every hour or on demand.

C. Glazed front for the dial in hinged brass frame with leaf decoration, tortoiseshell outer with brass inlaid forming garlands of flowers, ormolu edges in scrolling, brass curved sides with cross-hatched panels fitted with red fabric, curved feet, detachable top en suite, tortoiseshell inlaid with brass flowers, rocaille finial. D. White enamel, fluted at each hour, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, five-minute Arabic markers, winding apertures at 4 and 8 o'clock. Elaborate gilt brass hands. Below brass plate engraved with flowers, foliage, drapes.M. Rectangular, brass, going barrels, verge escapement, steel rod/brass bob pendulum, silk suspension, Jaquet Droz type rack striking with a single cam, striking quarters on two bells with two hammers, hours by a single hammer.Musical movement. Separate, the power system with two fusees and two large barrels set under the detachable top in two-tier brass frame, base with wooden cylinder, bellows, 14 pewter pipes, power transmitted via endless rope via set of pulleys, fly governor with two adjustable wings for tempo adjustment on endless screw pinion.Dim. Height 115 cm. Width at the base 57 cm.