98th Auction
2018/11/10
Lot 263
"CR" in a shield (presumably Caspar Rauber) Augsburg, Height 340 mm, circa 1580
A remarkable monstrance clock of museum quality, with 24 hour dial, moon phase and aspect display, hour strike and alarm
Case: brass and copper, firegilt, engraved and chased. Dial: brass, firegilt, silvered. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, firegilt, punch-mark "CR" in a shield, keywind, verge escapement, iron train, barrel for going train, barrel for striking train, barrel for alarm, locking plate for striking mechanism with engraved foliate decoration in the centre, hog's bristol regulator, stackfreed, iron wheel balance.
The embossed, round brass foot rests on three winged phoenixes and is embellished with chased rose petals, seashells and mascarons. A column shaft with similar ornamentation rises from the centre of the stand and carries the drum-shaped movement case with its elaborately decorated band. The back of the case is engraved with a swan, a pigeon and an ostrich, framed by lavish foliage and flowers. A Roman soldier with helmet, shield, spear, arrows and quiver stands on a small round pedestal at the very top of the case.
A movable disc with 24-hour dial is fitted in the centre of the four chapter rings on the front. The silver ring for the alarm can also be moved; it is graduated in two "I-XII" divisions. Another 24-hour chapter ring and an outer ring with the Roman hours 2 x "I-XII" and raised dot for night reading are located around the outer rim of the circle. The central disc is engraved with the aspect display and has a cutout for the moon phase and two opposing hands for the "shared 24-hour display".
The movement is constructed over several levels and runs approx. 30 hours; it has three barrels and is of outstanding quality. The movement for the alarm is housed in the bell – an early masterpiece and a very complex design that was clearly influenced by other makers of the period in Augsburg.
We only know very little about Caspar Rauber; according to the records of Jürgen Abeler, he is mentioned for the first time in 1556 in Augsburg. Rauber became a master in 1572. Some of his work resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in some distinguished private collections.
The history of monstrance clocks
Most monstrance clocks were ordered by high members of the clergy and are therefore always unique pieces of great value. A draft of the design had to be made; more requirements included hour and quarter hour strike, alarm, verge escapement, and many other indications. Apprentices usually had no money and often indebted themselves heavily for their masterpiece, especially since the making of a unique piece also required the appropriate special tools. Since such a clock quite easily cost the equivalent of four times the annual salary of a senior civil servant at the time, wealthy buyers were extremely sought-after.
A remarkable monstrance clock of museum quality, with 24 hour dial, moon phase and aspect display, hour strike and alarm
Case: brass and copper, firegilt, engraved and chased. Dial: brass, firegilt, silvered. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, firegilt, punch-mark "CR" in a shield, keywind, verge escapement, iron train, barrel for going train, barrel for striking train, barrel for alarm, locking plate for striking mechanism with engraved foliate decoration in the centre, hog's bristol regulator, stackfreed, iron wheel balance.
The embossed, round brass foot rests on three winged phoenixes and is embellished with chased rose petals, seashells and mascarons. A column shaft with similar ornamentation rises from the centre of the stand and carries the drum-shaped movement case with its elaborately decorated band. The back of the case is engraved with a swan, a pigeon and an ostrich, framed by lavish foliage and flowers. A Roman soldier with helmet, shield, spear, arrows and quiver stands on a small round pedestal at the very top of the case.
A movable disc with 24-hour dial is fitted in the centre of the four chapter rings on the front. The silver ring for the alarm can also be moved; it is graduated in two "I-XII" divisions. Another 24-hour chapter ring and an outer ring with the Roman hours 2 x "I-XII" and raised dot for night reading are located around the outer rim of the circle. The central disc is engraved with the aspect display and has a cutout for the moon phase and two opposing hands for the "shared 24-hour display".
The movement is constructed over several levels and runs approx. 30 hours; it has three barrels and is of outstanding quality. The movement for the alarm is housed in the bell – an early masterpiece and a very complex design that was clearly influenced by other makers of the period in Augsburg.
We only know very little about Caspar Rauber; according to the records of Jürgen Abeler, he is mentioned for the first time in 1556 in Augsburg. Rauber became a master in 1572. Some of his work resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in some distinguished private collections.
The history of monstrance clocks
Most monstrance clocks were ordered by high members of the clergy and are therefore always unique pieces of great value. A draft of the design had to be made; more requirements included hour and quarter hour strike, alarm, verge escapement, and many other indications. Apprentices usually had no money and often indebted themselves heavily for their masterpiece, especially since the making of a unique piece also required the appropriate special tools. Since such a clock quite easily cost the equivalent of four times the annual salary of a senior civil servant at the time, wealthy buyers were extremely sought-after.
Sold
estimated
30.000—90.000 €
Price realized
39.700 €