57,500 CHF
Henry Gebhart A Strasbourg, circa 1640. A fine and rare gilt-metal and rock crystal watch of lobed form. Two piece frame, the borders engraved with a hatched pattern. Duo decagonal lobed and fluted rock crystal cover and back, loose-ring pendant and button finial. Circular, gilt brass dial plate with applied silver chapter-ring, engraved Roman numerals and half hour divisions, single bluedsteel hand. Circular gilt brass plates witb turned baluster pillars, fusee for early chain, short train, verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without spring. Irregular florally pierced and engraved balance cock. Worm-and-wheel setup with pierced blued-steel brackets and silver indicator disc. In very good condition. Diam. 40 mm. Notes Henry Gebhart, of Strasbourg is recorded as working from circa 1630 to 1660. This type of watch - gilt-metal and rock crystal - is usually associated with the period before 1630; however the form of the cock and the worm-and-wheel setup are doser to 1640. A probable explanation of the somewhat anachronistic appearance is to be Pound in the proximity of Strasbourg to the German states, with the likelihood that his clientele would be appreciatve of the 'Augsburg' style of the early 17th. century. To this end, it is interesting to note that astronomical table clocks are also known by Gebhardt.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
