TABLE CLOCK Germany, first half of the 17th century
The movement stamped 'D E H (?) F'.
The gold-plated brass dial is entirely engraved with foliage around four scales (reading from the outside to the centre) :
- a quarter-hour scale,
- touch pieces,
- hours in Roman numerals divided by 30 minutes,
- red copper alarm clock
The centre engraved with symmetrically arranged scrolls, cut-out iron needle; the oval movement in gilded brass originally fitted with a now missing 'stackfreed', iron rod escapement, rectangular brass pillars; the oval case entirely engraved and surmounted by a cross, the back engraved with a wedding band coat of arms, probably German, surmounted by a helmet whose top is pierced for the winding axis, the whole chiselled in relief supported by a column decorated with a central button with antique heads and a round base with "cushion" feet; major wear and tear, accidents and missing parts.
H. : 22 cm (8 ½ in.)
Base D.: 8.7 cm (3 ½ in.)
A small table alarm clock, Germany, first half of the 17th century
For two other clocks in a similar but smaller arrangement see "Catalogue of Watches in the British Museum, I, the Stackfreed", London 1987, Nos. 49 and 51.