Table clock

Unknown

case 1554, movement ca. 1680 · Case: gilt brass; Movement: iron stackfreed mechanism · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The underside of the case bears the punchmark ND, in this period probably the mark of the clockmaker, not the casemaker. The engraved band on the side of the case reproduces a 1549 print by Hans Sebald Beham (1500–1550) titled Triumphal Procession of the Noble Glorious Women, which was also used as a model for the reliefs on the base of the clock. The clock is signed by Caspar Behaim. Although it is often possible to trace the sources of their designs, very little is known about sixteenth-century clock casemakers. The watch movement was probably installed relatively recently, perhaps when the present hand was made.

Artist

Unknown

Date

case 1554, movement ca. 1680

Medium

Case: gilt brass; Movement: iron stackfreed mechanism

Culture

German, possibly Nuremberg

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917