Miniature Clock
1575-1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This miniature clock may have been made for a collector's cabinet, in which technical virtuosity would have been valued as much as artistic creativity. The translucent enamel plaques on the face and sides of this clock are of a kind associated with the Augsburg goldsmith David Altenstetter (master 1572, died 1617).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver and silver gilt with enamels, brass base and dome. |
| Brief description | Minature table clock in gilt-metal with Altenstetter enamels, probably made in Augsburg, 1680-1699 |
| Physical description | Case: Case of tabernacle form, with flat brass base and bun feet; the front, rear and hinged side-plates of silver with scrolls and foliage inset in translucent enamel. At the top, surrounded by four finials, an arcaded gallery surmounted by a moulded brass dome with a fifth finial. Dial: Chapter-ring 2.2 cm diameter, with Roman hours and half-hour marks. Simple iron hand. Movement: Running train only, with all wheels of brass. Now with a restin-barrel and a spring wound through a pair of gears, but formerly with a pulley for weight drive, and now with corresponding holes in the bottom plate. Verge escapement, steel balance-wheel with corresponding holes in the bottom plate. Verge escapement, steel balance-wheel. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Object history | Received from Van Cuyck, Paris. Purchased April 20th 1864 for £20.00. |
| Association | |
| Summary | This miniature clock may have been made for a collector's cabinet, in which technical virtuosity would have been valued as much as artistic creativity. The translucent enamel plaques on the face and sides of this clock are of a kind associated with the Augsburg goldsmith David Altenstetter (master 1572, died 1617). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 617-1864 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
