VR-507 Time and Strike Austrian Jugendstil Wall Clock by Josef Koch in Wien
Periodically we will come across a clock that is in such nice, original condition that we can’t pass it up, even though it may not be a Vienna Regulator. This little gem is such a piece. Striking on a pair of straight, steel gongs this diminutive little piece is none the less the loudest striking clock in this auction. With its classic “Bim-Bam” hour count, and single, deep, resonating strike on the half hours, we were quite surprised at how good it sounds. If in another room it reminds us of the sound of a church clock in the distance - lovely, resonating sound.
The case is in excellent condition, probably exactly the way it left the factory so many years ago. Vintage - I’d guess 1900 to 1910. The mechanism is unmarked, and in reasonably clean condition. It strikes easily with very little wind to the mainstring. Likewise it ticks quite strongly. The beatscale indicates this piece was made by Koch, and that his shop was at Strozzigasse 34 in the VIII district of Vienna.
Claterbos tells us that Josef had his shop at Josefstadterstrasse 67 in 1876. He won a medal at the Viennese exhibition of 1880 with a granne-sonnerie striking clock of two year duration. Oh my! He was still registered in 1910, but no longer in 1911. So, it is clear this piece was produced pred 1911.
The more I look at this piece the more I like it. The hands are beautifully made, not the stamped pieces one would typically find in this period. The click springs are actually spring steel screwed to brass mounts, which are themselves screwed to the back plate. A truly surprising feature is the fact that the figures on the dial are engraved in the chapter ring - then filled. While this may look like a simple box clock, it in fact reflects the quality of a great Viennese maker.
So, while I started out this description explaining that we buy clocks that are in surprisingly good shape, now I realize we found a very nice piece, made around the turn of the century, that is a true sleeper! Even the beveled glass window in the door is beautifully made, with the glass set in brass came, not the usual lead strips. And, it has a key-locking door. This is truly a sleeper!
Read MoreThe case is in excellent condition, probably exactly the way it left the factory so many years ago. Vintage - I’d guess 1900 to 1910. The mechanism is unmarked, and in reasonably clean condition. It strikes easily with very little wind to the mainstring. Likewise it ticks quite strongly. The beatscale indicates this piece was made by Koch, and that his shop was at Strozzigasse 34 in the VIII district of Vienna.
Claterbos tells us that Josef had his shop at Josefstadterstrasse 67 in 1876. He won a medal at the Viennese exhibition of 1880 with a granne-sonnerie striking clock of two year duration. Oh my! He was still registered in 1910, but no longer in 1911. So, it is clear this piece was produced pred 1911.
The more I look at this piece the more I like it. The hands are beautifully made, not the stamped pieces one would typically find in this period. The click springs are actually spring steel screwed to brass mounts, which are themselves screwed to the back plate. A truly surprising feature is the fact that the figures on the dial are engraved in the chapter ring - then filled. While this may look like a simple box clock, it in fact reflects the quality of a great Viennese maker.
So, while I started out this description explaining that we buy clocks that are in surprisingly good shape, now I realize we found a very nice piece, made around the turn of the century, that is a true sleeper! Even the beveled glass window in the door is beautifully made, with the glass set in brass came, not the usual lead strips. And, it has a key-locking door. This is truly a sleeper!
