VR-310 - Beidermeier period week-running Viennese 3-lite timepiece by Adolf ____ in Wien
Unfortunately, try as we may, we can not make out the last name. As you read through this clocks description you will see many indications of the workmanship that the clock and case makers lavisned on this piece: It is unfortunate we can identify the maker since it is such a lovely piece.
The middle Biedermeier period was marked by the increasing use of adornments and trim to enhance the complexity and visual appeal of the clocks. In this fairly small but very attractive clock we see intricate trim pieces to the four corners of the door and the base, a very nicely made tail and even a headpiece! It really is unusual to find one of these clocks with all of its trim intact. Coupled with the visual impact of the single piece dial, the gorgeous piecrust bezel, delicate hands and scalloped treatment to the top of the door, this clock is truly a pleasure to see. My impression is that the case has been nicely refinished - not original, but done so well that it really looks quite nice.
Above I described this clock as fairly small. While its overall length of 43 inches might sound rather large, please realize that this includes the clocks head and tail pieces. The body itself measures 35 inches - when I look at this clock I find it rather attractive just because it is on the smaller side. And then there is the lovely banding around the windows, and the inlaid stringing on the door edges - lovely details so appropriate and lovely for the middle of the Biedermeier period.
While there are a couple of small scratches and the usual chipping around the winding arbor, the dial is otherwise in very good condition with no hairlines. And it has most of the makers name still extant., right down to the original name . Then there are the hands with their delicate lines, filed arms (rounded on the minute hand), a sign of a maker who cared about all the details. One minor point that I notice when looking at hands from this period is the extension to the back of the minute. While it’s purpose is probably to counterbalance the main part of the hand, I have always found it to be very useful when changing the time. You can turn the minute hand half way around the dial with one end of the hand, then shift to the other end. This keeps one from disturbing the hour hand.
The door glass is later, though both side glass are wavy and old, the pendulum rod is in very good condition, and the bob, brass backed, is perfect, albeit tarnished. And there is even an original, very tarnished beat scale. The mechanism is dirty, but clearly in very good condition. And the clock comes with a nice old, wood-handled key!
Read MoreThe middle Biedermeier period was marked by the increasing use of adornments and trim to enhance the complexity and visual appeal of the clocks. In this fairly small but very attractive clock we see intricate trim pieces to the four corners of the door and the base, a very nicely made tail and even a headpiece! It really is unusual to find one of these clocks with all of its trim intact. Coupled with the visual impact of the single piece dial, the gorgeous piecrust bezel, delicate hands and scalloped treatment to the top of the door, this clock is truly a pleasure to see. My impression is that the case has been nicely refinished - not original, but done so well that it really looks quite nice.
Above I described this clock as fairly small. While its overall length of 43 inches might sound rather large, please realize that this includes the clocks head and tail pieces. The body itself measures 35 inches - when I look at this clock I find it rather attractive just because it is on the smaller side. And then there is the lovely banding around the windows, and the inlaid stringing on the door edges - lovely details so appropriate and lovely for the middle of the Biedermeier period.
While there are a couple of small scratches and the usual chipping around the winding arbor, the dial is otherwise in very good condition with no hairlines. And it has most of the makers name still extant., right down to the original name . Then there are the hands with their delicate lines, filed arms (rounded on the minute hand), a sign of a maker who cared about all the details. One minor point that I notice when looking at hands from this period is the extension to the back of the minute. While it’s purpose is probably to counterbalance the main part of the hand, I have always found it to be very useful when changing the time. You can turn the minute hand half way around the dial with one end of the hand, then shift to the other end. This keeps one from disturbing the hour hand.
The door glass is later, though both side glass are wavy and old, the pendulum rod is in very good condition, and the bob, brass backed, is perfect, albeit tarnished. And there is even an original, very tarnished beat scale. The mechanism is dirty, but clearly in very good condition. And the clock comes with a nice old, wood-handled key!
