A small German hexagonal gilt and silvered horizontal table clock, Augusta Maijr, circa 1750.

Description

The dial

The 5.8-cm enamel dial has Roman numerals and blued hands. The silvered engraved alarm disc is signed Augusta Maijr . The dial is fitted in a finely engraved silvered surround.

The movement

The movement is driven by a spring barrel with fusee and chain. It has a duration of thirty hours and is being regulated by verge escapement in combination with a balance wheel. The back plate is adourned with a finely engraved pierced cock. The clock strikes the hours on a bell. There is an alarm mechanism which also strikes on a bell.

The case

The hexaganal case is made of gilt and silvered brass. The upper moulding is adourned with foliate engraving. To the sides are glass panels set in silvered surrounds revealing the movement. The hinged bottom with a bell gives access to the back plate. The whole is raised on silvered claw feet.

The maker

The signature probably refers to Augustin Mayer from Brünn who is recorded becoming master clockmaker in 1751. Jürgen Abeler, Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, pp. 372.