VR-547 Late Biedermeier Vienna Regulator with unusual headpiece by Karl Wurm in Neunkirchen
Claterbos tells us that there were Wurms in Vienna starting with Carl, who was born in 1763, and a master in 1794. His son, born in 1794, was listed as a clockmaker in Vienna in 1824. Given that Neunkirchen is roughly 60 miles south west of Vienna, that this case was made in Vienna by Franz Pouker, and that it was probably made in the what, 1835 to 1840 time-frame - there are three possibilities: Carl moved to Neunkirchen later in his life and this clock was produced there, or Carl (sometimes spelled Karl, especially by illiterate calligraphers) marketed his clocks in the Neunkirchen area and listed the town to enhance his sales, or, we are seeing the work of a third Carl, who was trained in Vienna, in his fathers shop, and then opened his own shop in Neunkirchen.
How do we know the case was made in Vienna? This particular piece is one of those ever so rare pieces that actually have a stamped logo on the back! And, while Franz Pouker is not listed in my reference books, clearly he was a talented craftsman.
I think this clock would make an excellent argument for Rosewood being the loveliest wood for Vienna cases. I love the strong contrasts in the graining to the book-matched backboard, and the striking grain to both the top and bottom of the case. As if that is not enough, this piece has a very unusual and very rare carved headpiece that shows how cases of this style were meant to be crowned. With its correct and original tail, unusual door latch, delicate columns to the sides of the door, contrasting banding to all of the window openings, original finish and excellent condition, and relatively small size, this piece is one of the true jewels in my offerings. Something that may not be obvious, unless you look closely: The edges of the doors are canted at a 45 degree angle to the front of the clock, one of those details that make this clock just that little bit more special.
The mechanism is perfect (having been recently serviced) and is ticking behind me as I type. With its single-piece dial, very nice pie-crust bezel, and maintaining power, this is clearly an example of what I call “Viennese Art”. Note too the unusual door latch, which works very smoothly and is such a nice alternate to either a key lock or a door hook. You will find that you notice every week when you wind the clock how nicely it works, when compared to your other pieces. Note too the matching wall-stabilizers and pendulum rating nut, all three with the double-edged and knurled design I so like. The pendulum bob is brass backed (a lovely, early feature - allowing the bob to have a much cleaner, sharper edge) and even the top block for the suspension spring is original, and lovely, right down to the little lip on the hanger forks to keep the suspension spring in just the right place. You just don’t see details like this on factory clocks!
Details - the narrower than usual pendulum rod, the beautiful pulley, perfect weight and bob, and unusual beat scale... I would be hard pressed to find fault with this piece.
Read MoreHow do we know the case was made in Vienna? This particular piece is one of those ever so rare pieces that actually have a stamped logo on the back! And, while Franz Pouker is not listed in my reference books, clearly he was a talented craftsman.
I think this clock would make an excellent argument for Rosewood being the loveliest wood for Vienna cases. I love the strong contrasts in the graining to the book-matched backboard, and the striking grain to both the top and bottom of the case. As if that is not enough, this piece has a very unusual and very rare carved headpiece that shows how cases of this style were meant to be crowned. With its correct and original tail, unusual door latch, delicate columns to the sides of the door, contrasting banding to all of the window openings, original finish and excellent condition, and relatively small size, this piece is one of the true jewels in my offerings. Something that may not be obvious, unless you look closely: The edges of the doors are canted at a 45 degree angle to the front of the clock, one of those details that make this clock just that little bit more special.
The mechanism is perfect (having been recently serviced) and is ticking behind me as I type. With its single-piece dial, very nice pie-crust bezel, and maintaining power, this is clearly an example of what I call “Viennese Art”. Note too the unusual door latch, which works very smoothly and is such a nice alternate to either a key lock or a door hook. You will find that you notice every week when you wind the clock how nicely it works, when compared to your other pieces. Note too the matching wall-stabilizers and pendulum rating nut, all three with the double-edged and knurled design I so like. The pendulum bob is brass backed (a lovely, early feature - allowing the bob to have a much cleaner, sharper edge) and even the top block for the suspension spring is original, and lovely, right down to the little lip on the hanger forks to keep the suspension spring in just the right place. You just don’t see details like this on factory clocks!
Details - the narrower than usual pendulum rod, the beautiful pulley, perfect weight and bob, and unusual beat scale... I would be hard pressed to find fault with this piece.
