17th Century More Clocks

Cross-shaped chest clock. Silver. 17th century. It presents restorations. Portable clock in the shape of a cross with an openwork exterior showing Christian figurative scenes and the movement inside, a dial with a golden band with Roman numerals for the hours, a single needle and an engraved decoration around it, also with a religious theme; on the back, the back of the movement can be seen, with a delicate decoration, also openwork and based on plant motifs reminiscent of classicism, and a band on the case of the piece with simplified plant elements. Outside, we find ourselves on one side with Christ crucified, flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John, and the figures are surrounded by a delicate composition based on vegetable scrolls, with an angel's head at the foot of the piece. The other side shows the Resurrection of Jesus, with Christ emerging from the empty tomb...

A fine and rare William & Mary long case or grandfather clock by London maker Daniel LeCompte. c.1690, London, the fine marquetry case having oval panels of birds and flowers, the movement signed Daniel LeCount (LeCompte) having a silver chapter ring and seconds dial, brass spandrels of cupids supporting a crown; including key, weights and pendulum. LeCompte was a French Huguenot...

The extraordinary beauty and superior craftsmanship of 17th century German clockmaking is on full display in this exceptionally rare horizontal tabletop timepiece dating to 1650 Augsburg. Created by Johannes Buschman the Younger, the eminent Buschman family of clockmakers are lauded for designing some of the finest timepieces to ever be created in the South German town of Augsburg during the late Renaissance and early Modern periods. A finely moulded ebony and turtleshell casing veneered in a mottled red hue holds the clock’s fusée and chain movement with verge escapement and balance with hogs-bristle regulation. A silver figure of Minerva, Roman goddess of war and wisdom, centers the Roman numeral-engraved chapter ring, indicating the time by pointing to the hour with an authoritative military staff as the sun rotates below her feet to indicate the minute. The incredible design is finished by a gilded backplate intricately pierced and engraved with a floral motif and the signature of Johannes Buschman. Clocks are one of the greatest and most important inventions of the Renaissance period, improving steadily into the Age of Discovery. Embodying a renewed interest in science, the arts and humanism, the first mechanical timepieces began appearing in the 14th century and were large, weight-driven devices placed in the turrets of public buildings that struck the hour and lacked hands and faces. This clock was created during the first period of household clocks, when spring-driven movements made it possible to create smaller and more complex mechanisms. Such creations, however, were a luxury accessible only to the wealthy upper classes. Affluent patrons placed pressure upon artisans to create more elaborate and ornate clocks...