Exceptional Collectors Timepieces, Ho...

Geneva, May 15, 2005

LOT 100

Johann Rettich in Wien, No. 834, Made circa 1830. Fine and rare month-going mahogany and maplewood inlaid Biedermeier laterndluhr. Accompanied by the original brass, steel and bone crank key.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 16,000 - 19,000 / USD 20,000 - 25,000

Sold: CHF 23,000

C. Nine-light, the hood with architectural pediment and hinged door, glazed body above molded undercut base,maplewood stringing, the front screw adjusted wall spikes. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outerminute track, cast gilt bronze bezel. Blued steel hands. M. Tapered rectangular brass plates, turned tapered pillars,five wheel train, maintaining power, anchor escapement, crutch with micrometer centering adjustment, brass-cladweight, steel rod pendulum with brass bob and screw regulation nut.Dial and movement signed.Dim. 97 x 27 x 12 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3 - 21
Movement: 4 - 22*
Dial: 3 - 6 - 01

Notes

Johann Rettich Was a Master Clockmaker to the Austrian Imperial Royal Court from 1847 to 1871. He was ?bürgerlicher Meister? from 1826 to 1858. Biedermeier The Biedermeier period spanned between 1815 and 1848. It was a term originally used to describe a specific style of furniture that was popular in 19th century Vienna. In ?Schubert?s Vienna?, Waltraud Heindl writes ?Biedermeier furni-ture was characterized by simple, graceful, curving lines as opposed to, on the one hand, the straight-line neoclassi-cism and antique motifs of Empire furniture and, on the other, the baroque or gothic elements found in the historicist style.? In time, Biedermeier developed into a description of art, architecture, and eventually, a social phenomenon centered on the family and private life .