A gilt-brass quarter striking and musical table clock, German, circa 1590

3¾-inch gilt principal dial with zodiacal and monthly calendars, hours 1 - 12 twice and central lunar indications, a bracket below initialled I*H, the sides with hour and quarter recording dials, the four train fusee movement with pinned lipped barrels, verge and foliot escapement and striking the hours and quarters on two top-mounted bells, the fourth train driving a 6-inch re-programmable pinned disc mounted within the plinth and playing a tune on eight bells, the case with four silvered doors engraved with strapwork and mythical beasts, the front with two roundels the first engraved with the a crowned double-headed eagle and the second with an eagle with an 'M' on the breast, the rear engraved with Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the gilt frame surmounted by four probably later classical female figure finials flanking rock crystal and agate mounts and pilasters decorated with vases of stylised flowers, masks and scrolls, the plinth base with four gilt roundels engraved with Biblical scenes depicting The Baptism of Christ, The Good Samaritan, The Last Supper and The Crucifixion, each on a ground of naturistically cold painted leaf and bird fretwork, the front and rear roundels flanked by stylised dolphins, the moulded base with four hunting scenes

Prospective purchasers should personally inspect. Movement appears to be complete but not in running condition and will require full service and overhaul, musical movement is curiosity and far from fully explained, it is not in working condition and has some replacement parts. The case has discoluration to the silvered panels, the four female figures to the top corners are later replacements and one is detached but we have it, the dials are generally in good condition and the case is in good condition, the wooden base has been replaced. With 2 winders.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

 

This extraordinary musical clock appears to be previously un-recorded and is possibly the earliest re-programmable disc musical movement extant.  Musical clocks from the renaissance period are rare and usual method of producing the music is by pinned barrel and carillon, as in municipal tower clocks of the period.  Pinned discs are occasionally used for the activation of automata but not for music and particularly not in re-programmable format. The fact that the disc and bells are concealed within the base of the case has possibly meant that this innovative idea was not seen and pursued by others until the 19th Century.

The form of this clock is not typical of those made in the Augsburg area of Germany and, as yet, it has not been possible to identify a definite maker or specific area.  The arms to the front door are of the Holy Roman Empire and also possibly the town of Mosbach, Germany.  The architectural form of the case is reminiscent of some early clocks from Strasbourg and Nuremburg and a weight-driven clock with engraved silvered panels is in the collection of the Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart, tentatively attributed to Nuremburg.

The technical innovation of the musical movement is clearly highly important but the quality of the decoration to the case is astonishingly high and combines religious themes with the more wordly pursuit of hunting and an astute observation of natural history.  The initials I*H concealed by the front panel are intriguing and, having arrived at an approximate date and area of manufacture, it is tempting to consider if this might possibly be an unknown work by a member of the Habrecht family of clockmakers.