Lot 608

Augsburg, Height 285 mm, circa 1630
An early figure clock with automaton and hour strike "The Blackamoor" - a rare example of a type of clock that was later called "cercles tournants"
Case: brass and copper, firegilt, engraved, chased and chiselled, remains of polychrome enamelling, rear bell. Dial: firegilt brass globe with hour ring with engraved Roman hours "I-XII". Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, firegilt, 2 barrels for going and striking train, 1 hammer, remains of the original stackfreed, verge escapement, locking plate with internal teeth, three-arm brass balance.
The circular, two-part base rests on three feet in the form of lions. The walls are decorated with strapwork, pomegranate motifs and stylized columns. On the base sits an elaborately chased and engraved plate supporting the gilded blackamoor figure. The man in the garb of a Roman general wears a crown, a tiny monkey sits at his feet. He indicates the time on the celestial globe on top of a stylized tree trunk with his sceptre. When the bell strikes the hour, the man turns his head towards the globe.
The harmonious design of this early automaton clock makes it stand out from the group of 16th century figural clocks with popular, mundane subjects in exquisitely engraved and ornamented, firegilt cases. The movement was altered and modernized several times, indicating that the clock was passed through the generations and held in great esteem.

Sold