Lot 183

Betical

A magnificent pair-cased Friedberg Rococo quarter repeating coach clock with alarm

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The heavy outer case is decorated with marvellously chased rocailles and volutes; the case is openworked around the edge to emphasise the beautiful sound of the strike. Back and edge of the inner case also have pierced, floral sections for the sound. The central part of the case is engraved with a four-part flower arrangement of rocailles and volute scrolls imitating the style of the outer ornamentation. The movement is likewise lavishly decorated with baroque-style pillars, applied scrolls and an intricately ornamented balance cock with engraved mascaron; the barrels and the edges of the movement are embellished with geometric patterns.
Because of the continental European rococo style of the case decoration and other typical features such as the ornamentation and the design of the movement, we assume that this carriage clock was made in Friedberg. Many makers in Friedberg signed their work with names that read backwards or were translated into other languages for marketing reasons. They often also used the labels "London", "Augsburg" or "Paris" in the style of famous makers from these capitals. The name "Betical" unfortunately cannot be identified.
The "Betical London" signature is also present on two other verge pocket watches.
This timepiece is described in Lukas Stolberg’s book "Die Kutschenuhr" (the carriage clock), Munich 1993, page 231.