| Maker, Unknown,
probably English. c. 1835. Movement 8"h x 3.5"w x 3"d. /
13.5"h x 6"w 4.5"d over dome. Double rafter frame, pinwheel
escapement, silk suspension, eight day duration.
Click on pictures for more detail.
An interesting miniature great wheel, quite likely a unique 'one off' piece. From the front the clock looks like a conventional great wheel design (first photo). However, here the similarities end. There is a center frame that divides the time train (front) from the strike train (rear). While the time train employs a fussee system that winds from the front, the strike train uses a going barrel winding from the rear. The second great wheel employed in the strike train has a 24 hour count wheel mounted to it. There is a wide variety of wheel crossings used throughout the movement from a conventional four, to five and then six spokes and culminating in the fanciful curvilinear design used in the strike train's great wheel. Provenance: Christie's, New York, USA, June 17, 2005; Lot #43. Formerly from the R.O. Schmitt collection.
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