Lot 181 | Nicolaus Schmidt d.Ä | RARE LARGE BRONZE TABERNACLE CLOCK

RARE LARGE BRONZE TABERNACLE CLOCK.

Schmidt d.Ä, Nicolaus. Augsburg

Date: Ca. 1600.
Technique: Fire-gilded bronze, iron, blued steel, etc.
Description: The magnificent, highly rectangular case with a wide, fluted base on pomegranate feet.
Fluted columns with Corinthian capitals on the corners. Windowed tambour at the top, vase tops on the cranked corners, dome above with round arch arcades, small battlements with cannons and high spire. The case is decorated on all sides with finely engraved relief decor of mounts and fruit hangings. The main dial with silver chapter ring with Roman hours, set in a raised rim with Arabic minutes. Above the XII is the monogram 'MR' for
Meridies (south), above the III 'OCC' for Occidens (west), above the VI 'ST' for Septentriones (north) and at the IX 'OR' for Orient (east). Inside alarm disc with steel hands. Fixed pendulum and two smaller, superimposed dials on the back. The quarter hour dial at the top, the striking train dial with Arabic numerals from 1-12 at the bottom, the movement in an iron frame. Three barrels, going train with gut strings and fusee, verge escapement with pendulum (somewhat later, originally foliot or balance). Striking train for full hours and quarter hours, alarm. Quarter hour strike on two bells.
Measurement: 52x22x22cm.
Mark: Iron frame marked twice 'NS' for Nicolaus Schmidt the Elder (Master from 1576, Abeler p.503).
Ring dial and spire probably later.
Enclosed: Two keys.

Provenance:
South German private collection.

Literature:
- Abeler, Jürgen: Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, Wuppertal 2010. For the maker see p.503.
- Ackermann, H.C.: Die Uhrensammlung Nathan-Rupp im Historischen Museum Basel, Basel 1984. For a comparable turret clock see p.76ff, cat.no.45 and p.78, cat.no.46.

Nicolaus Schmidt the Elder was born in Wiltz in Luxembourg in 1549 and after years of travelling received his master's degree in Augsburg on 3 March 1576. He worked there until his death around 1625. His works can be found in important collections such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Basel Historical Museum and the Clock Museum in Winterthur.