Johann Melchior Dinglinger school

Johann Melchior Dinglinger school, German, circa 1720. Magnificent and extremely rare gold and enamel, ruby- and diamond-set obelisk clock in Renaissance style. Lavishly decorated on each of the four sides with applied champlevé enamel scrolling, set with diamonds and rubies, vase finial, front side fitted with regulating gold dial, others with faceted crystals for viewing the movement, supported by four gold sphinxes with women’s heads standing on a gold pedestal with molded cornice and base, front with dial, sides with faceted crystals, corners set with applied champlevé scrolling set with rubies and diamonds, ebonized square base. Gold, champlevé radial Roman numerals, inner quarter-hour ring, matte background. Blued steel index hand. Square, fusee and chain, verge escapement, brass three-arm balance, single footed, pierced and engraved cock with streamers. Dim. Height 23 cm. Notes An exceptional piece and a masterpiece of goldsmithing. Johann Melchior Dinglinger (1664 – 1731) A German goldsmith and jeweler whose patron was the extravagant Frederick Augustus I, elector of Saxony (Augustus II, King of Poland). He was one of the most famous goldsmiths of his time. Dinglinger was a master of every conceivable technique, and his ingenious decorative fantasies are still preserved in the "Green Vaults" of the palace treasure at Dresden. After his training in Ulm he traveled as a journeyman to Augsburg, Nuremberg and Vienna. He is first recorded in Dresden in 1692. His tw