VR-321 - Dwarf Serpentine Austrian timepiece
This faux-finished piece is in good, but very dirty condition, with a case in the beautiful deep maroons of a mahogany or perhaps rosewood faux-finish. If I would have had time, this is a clock that would clean up beautifully.
Fairly short, with one of the nicer-made cases offered in this style of clock. Notice that the top and bottom of case door opening are not flat, they are contoured to match the top and bottom of the serpentine door. More typically one finds a square frame on the back of the door facade that matches up to a square case opening. It takes a significant amount of work to make a case like this one. When setting the clock up I was amazed at how well it was put together - a very impressive example of the capabilities of Viennese case makers. And then there is the lovely carving to the top, and the four corners of the doors. And, it is all there!
While the finish is dull, and pretty coated with grime, the underlying and original finish is in very good shape, granted it has the usual scrapes, but it will clean up, and with minimal restoration, be a truly stunning little gem of a clock.
The mechanism is a typical Viennese piece - that is to say, it is exquisite. Lenzkirch did not make mechanisms that match the quality found in the Viennese pieces. Note the very delicate and exquisitely pierced hands: These hands are works of art. Then there is the pulley, 5 spoke, early style, one of those little points that I so value. Just like the wall stabilizers, the kind with the stepped mounting plate, the better ones available 150 years ago. The pendulum bob is zinc backed, tarnished, very heavy, and in very good (no dings), if tarnished condition. The dial is near perfect, with fine hairlines between the 3 and 4 and the beat scale is unusual, but again, in perfect condition. The weight is smaller than typical (just under 3 pounds, but more than enough to swing the rather heavy bob). Getting to know this clock is like exploring a treasure chamber - every time you look at another feature you are surprised and pleased by the quality.
If you want a small clock, one that stands out as a truly lovely piece, unusual, higher quality than most, this clock would please you. And, if my list of caveats cause you pause, consider that for $300 all would be made right. The case would be cleaned, polished, finish flaws touched up, mechanism clean, bottom finial matched to case color and finish... You would have a piece that would be ready to hang and enjoy (or in my case, love.)
Read MoreFairly short, with one of the nicer-made cases offered in this style of clock. Notice that the top and bottom of case door opening are not flat, they are contoured to match the top and bottom of the serpentine door. More typically one finds a square frame on the back of the door facade that matches up to a square case opening. It takes a significant amount of work to make a case like this one. When setting the clock up I was amazed at how well it was put together - a very impressive example of the capabilities of Viennese case makers. And then there is the lovely carving to the top, and the four corners of the doors. And, it is all there!
While the finish is dull, and pretty coated with grime, the underlying and original finish is in very good shape, granted it has the usual scrapes, but it will clean up, and with minimal restoration, be a truly stunning little gem of a clock.
The mechanism is a typical Viennese piece - that is to say, it is exquisite. Lenzkirch did not make mechanisms that match the quality found in the Viennese pieces. Note the very delicate and exquisitely pierced hands: These hands are works of art. Then there is the pulley, 5 spoke, early style, one of those little points that I so value. Just like the wall stabilizers, the kind with the stepped mounting plate, the better ones available 150 years ago. The pendulum bob is zinc backed, tarnished, very heavy, and in very good (no dings), if tarnished condition. The dial is near perfect, with fine hairlines between the 3 and 4 and the beat scale is unusual, but again, in perfect condition. The weight is smaller than typical (just under 3 pounds, but more than enough to swing the rather heavy bob). Getting to know this clock is like exploring a treasure chamber - every time you look at another feature you are surprised and pleased by the quality.
If you want a small clock, one that stands out as a truly lovely piece, unusual, higher quality than most, this clock would please you. And, if my list of caveats cause you pause, consider that for $300 all would be made right. The case would be cleaned, polished, finish flaws touched up, mechanism clean, bottom finial matched to case color and finish... You would have a piece that would be ready to hang and enjoy (or in my case, love.)
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