Silver and enamel novelty clock with rotating figure to show the time. (c. 1915 Switzerland)
| Title |
Silver and enamel novelty clock with rotating figure to show the time.
|
| Country of Origin |
Switzerland
|
| Dated |
c. 1915 |
| Medium |
Silver and enamel
|
| Condition |
Excellent
|
| Dimensions |
18.00cm wide
(7.09 inches wide)
12.50cm high
(4.92 inches high)
|
| Framed Width |
19.00cm framed width
(7.48 inches framed width)
18.50cm framed height
(7.28 inches framed height)
|
|
Status
|
SOLD
|
Literature
Derek Roberts. Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks.page 86.
Description / Expertise
OS40. This clock, which must have been very expensive to produce, is one of a small series of novelty clocks, virtually all made in Switzerland, to the very highest standards, in the first quarter of the 20th century. The principal feature is a figure, such as a swan or skier, which rotates on a sheet of glass every 12 hours, indicating the time against a chapter ring, by using something such as a ski.
The basic design employs a guilloche case i.e ie one made of silver, which is decorated with delicate engraving and then covered with coloured translucent enamel to allow the decoration to show through and after this enhanced with features such as sprays of flowers. Above and below the enamelling are decorative silver rings.
The chapter ring, which has blue roman numerals with floral designs between, surrounds a mirror simulating a circular lake around which a finely carved ivory putto rotates, resting on a gilded leaf. He indicates the time with a gilded clock hand.
The clock rests on and is protected by an octagonal leather covered travelling box lined with padded off white silk. Let into the bottom of this is a lidded recess for the winding key.
The clock is signed underneath the base Alfred Hof Geneve, Swiss 0.935. It is some 5.5" (12.5 cms) in diameter . The box is 7" (18cms) high and 19cms wide.
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