An object with plenty of decorative appeal, its two-stage movement is enclosed in a glass drum while the clock’s case, which is set on sphinx feet, has an arcaded superstructure containing the dial. This features both the narrow concentric chapter ring and a calendar indicated by a silvered cast metal finial figure.
The auctioneers reckoned the clock hadn’t started out in this form, cataloguing it as “case, dial and movement composite, probably South German, second half of the 17th century” and giving it an estimate of £1500-2000. On the day it ended up making rather more than this with the bidding reaching £11,000.
There was considerable pre-sale interest in the piece from the Continent but on the day the main competition came from this country with an English buyer and underbidder.
Overall the 153 lots of clocks and barometers netted £197,540 with 94 per cent sold by lot and 98 per cent by value.
Riddle of the sphinx
UK: THIS 63/4in (17cm) high striking table clock proved to be the most expensive lot in a sale of clocks and watches held by Christie’s South Kensington 17.5/10 per cent buyer’s premium) on December 14.
