German Renaissance Turret Clock

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...

The famed Patek Philippe crafted this spectacular gilt bronze cartel clock. The case is exuberantly embellished in the Louis XV style with scrolling foliate work and an argyle-patterned screen punctuated with rosettes. The decorative screen conceals a panel of solar cells on the front of the timepiece. These photoelectric cells, along with a backup lithium battery, power the caliber 17-250 mechanical movement. It tells the time on a white enamel dial with both Roman and Arabic numerals and ornate brass hands. The timepiece comes complete with its original fitted Patek Philippe box. Overall, this clock displays the lasting quality and style of this legendary Swiss firm. Patek Philippe is one of the world’s premier luxury brands and is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious watchmaker. Founded in 1851 by Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek and French watchmaker Adrien Philippe...

A large Victorian wall clock, likely out of a turret clock, dating from the late 19th century. Though more than 150 years old, the timeless design of this clock suits traditional and...

Rare, oval ceramic wall clock, attributed to Max Bill for Junghans Germany in the 1950s, with a Dual tone ceramic housing, powered by mechanical manual-winding clockwork, 3sec/24h, k...