VR-625 Late Biedermeier Timepiece by Florian Pfefferl in Wien
VR-625 A stunning Late Biedermeier Viennese timepiece by Florian Pfefferl in Wien. Claterbos, in his definitive reference "Viennese Clockmakers and What They Left Us" tells us that Florian qualified as a master clockmaker in 1843, and had a shop at Neubau, Lindengasse 31 from 1846 until 1859.
Measuring 54.5 inches long, 14 inches wide at the widest point of the top, and 5 inches deep in the body, this piece is in truly wonderful condition. The finish on the case will clean up to be exceptionally nice, in fact, near perfect. I am quite taken by the wonderful inlaid stringing to the door and case, the canted door edges, the very long and elegant case, the very unusual hands, simple and quite distinctive base treatment… And this is quite a large piece, especially for a late Biedermeier clock. All of the bits are original with the exception of the top. And, while not original to this clock, it is very appropriate. The only things I would need to do to get this case ready (well, after cleaning it up and waxing it) are to replace the missing door lock, add two holes to mount the headpiece (there are no holes in the top at present – it looks to have had a top, similar to the one in the pictures glued to the top). I would also touch up the top so it would not be apparent that there had been a different top there. I believe the two carved pieces to the top of the edges of the door were originally colored more like the head piece, but were darkened by someone in the past. These two pieces would be cleaned up to match the head pieces color and patina.
I do not believe the clock ever had a tail piece, but it would be appropriate to add one to match the style of the headpiece.
Or, the headpiece could be left off and the clock would be wonderful with out it. Without the headpiece the case measures 48.5 inches long.
The dial measures 7.5 inches in diameter and is in excellent condition. I was especially struck by the quality of the mechanism. Larger than typical, measuring 6 inches tall, with a curved top to the plates, all of the screws are works of art – and very unusual – as are the two knobs on the crutch beat adjustment. While Pfefferl is not a maker I have heard of before, it is clear from the details of the mechanism and the case that he was a maker who made exceptional pieces.
Read MoreMeasuring 54.5 inches long, 14 inches wide at the widest point of the top, and 5 inches deep in the body, this piece is in truly wonderful condition. The finish on the case will clean up to be exceptionally nice, in fact, near perfect. I am quite taken by the wonderful inlaid stringing to the door and case, the canted door edges, the very long and elegant case, the very unusual hands, simple and quite distinctive base treatment… And this is quite a large piece, especially for a late Biedermeier clock. All of the bits are original with the exception of the top. And, while not original to this clock, it is very appropriate. The only things I would need to do to get this case ready (well, after cleaning it up and waxing it) are to replace the missing door lock, add two holes to mount the headpiece (there are no holes in the top at present – it looks to have had a top, similar to the one in the pictures glued to the top). I would also touch up the top so it would not be apparent that there had been a different top there. I believe the two carved pieces to the top of the edges of the door were originally colored more like the head piece, but were darkened by someone in the past. These two pieces would be cleaned up to match the head pieces color and patina.
I do not believe the clock ever had a tail piece, but it would be appropriate to add one to match the style of the headpiece.
Or, the headpiece could be left off and the clock would be wonderful with out it. Without the headpiece the case measures 48.5 inches long.
The dial measures 7.5 inches in diameter and is in excellent condition. I was especially struck by the quality of the mechanism. Larger than typical, measuring 6 inches tall, with a curved top to the plates, all of the screws are works of art – and very unusual – as are the two knobs on the crutch beat adjustment. While Pfefferl is not a maker I have heard of before, it is clear from the details of the mechanism and the case that he was a maker who made exceptional pieces.
