Hercules Clock

Hercules Clock. Jerg Ernst, Germany, first quarter of 17th century. Fine and very rare silver, gilt bronze and rock crystal astronomical hour and quarter striking pre-balance spring clock with cross-beat escapement, phases, aspect, and age of the moon. Set on an oval gilt brass dome pierced and engraved with birds, mask and foliage, silver hour ring with radial Roman numerals and half-hour divisions, outer inclined gilt minute ring with five-minute Arabic markers and Roman quarters, innermost ages of the moon scale with a gilt pointer disc with engraved diagram of aspects and phases of the moon aperture. Blued steel "tulip and poker" hands. Oval, gilt brass, full plate, turned baluster pillars, fusee and chain, short 3-wheel train, cross beat escapement with two steel-rod foliots terminated with silver winged cherub masks, elaborately pierced and engraved gilt brass mainspring set-up click, striking quarters from fixed barrel and 4-wheel train terminating with cylindrical brass governor, count wheel under the dial, striking quarters on a bell under the dial dome. Separate hour striking mechanism in the base with circular and octagonal plates, turned baluster pillars, fixed barrel, four-wheel train with circular governor, striking on a bell in the base, activated from the main movement via small rod passing through the body of Hercules. Signature (later) on the back plate.Dim.Height 260 mm, Width 90 mm. Notes This is the first monstrance clock to appear at auction in a Read more…