Clock · Tower clock (tischuhr)

Augsburg gilt and engraved brass tower clock (Tischuhr)

Partially verified

This late 16th-century German table clock (Tischuhr) features an architectural tower-form case of gilt and engraved brass. The structure is surmounted by a sculpted figure of Hercules atop a domed cupola over an arched colonnade concealing the bell. Supported by fluted Corinthian corner columns on a spreading base, the case features engraved urns, foliage, and strapwork. The main dial has a Roman chapter ring with twelve touch pins for night reading, an inner 13-to-24 Arabic hour ring, and a central alarm-setting disc. Source documentation describes a spring-driven movement with verge escapement, un-sprung balance, twin chain fusees, and countwheel strike.

Three-quarter front view of the gilt and engraved brass Augsburg tower clock — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.invaluable.com
Category: Clock · Tower clock (tischuhr)
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 101
Source-reported date: late 16th century
Country: Germany

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

The clock is housed in an architectural tower-form case made of gilt and engraved brass. It features a spreading foot, with each corner of the flared base containing an un-threaded hole at the far tip. The structure is supported by fluted Corinthian columns set on pedestal bases.

The upper section consists of a colonnade of Roman arches concealing the bell, surmounted by a repoussé cupola and a figure of Hercules holding his club and the Hesperides. The case is decorated with engraved urns, foliage, strapwork, and punched flowerheads and fruit.

Evidence for this section

“gilt and engraved brass Augsburg tower clock, or Tischuhr”
“Each corner of the flared foot has a small un-threaded hole at the far tip.”
“The case surmounted by the standing figure of Hercules holding the Hesperides and his club, over a repoussé cupola raised on a colonnade of Roman arches, the bell hidden from view behind”
“each corner set with a cast volute scroll on a stop-fluted Corinthian column on a pedestal base, all raised on a spreading foot and decorated with engraved urns issuing exotic flowers within burnished strapwork and foliage; further decorated with punched flowerheads and fruit.”

Dial and Timekeeping

The 2.5-inch brass dial features a Roman chapter ring with twelve raised touch pins for night reading. The dial also includes an inner Arabic numeral track for the 13-24 hour period and a central alarm-setting disc.

The movement is spring-driven with trains mounted one behind the other. It includes a chain fusee and a verge escapement with an un-sprung steel balance wheel. Documentation notes the front hand is a later replacement.

Evidence for this section

“The main 2.5 inch brass dial with Roman chapter ring framed by twelve raised touch pins for tactile reading at night, with simple half-hour marks enclosing the 13-24 hour Arabic inner hour band, and central alarm-setting disc”
“The spring driven movement with steel top and bottom plates united by square-section posts, the trains mounted one behind the other; to the front the going with chain fusee and verge escapement with un-sprung steel balance wheel mounted on the top plate”
“the front hand is a later replacement”

Striking and Alarm Mechanism

The rear of the clock features a 2-inch solid numbered countwheel with a scroll-engraved center, accompanied by a blued steel hand indicating the last hour struck. The clock strikes on a single bell.

The strike train is powered by a separate chain fusee, and the alarm is wound independently from the right side. The crown wheel is noted as a possible old replacement.

Evidence for this section

“The rear panel set with a 2 inch solid numbered countwheel with scroll-engraved centre and blued steel hand indicating the last hour struck.”
“the strike train to the rear with separate chain fusee, countwheel strike on a single bell and alarm work sounding on the same bell.”
“The alarm wound to the right hand side.”
“The crown wheel is possibly an old replacement”

Open research questions

What is the intended function of the un-threaded holes located at the tips of the flared foot corners?
What is the historical significance of the 'old hole' identified in the countwheel?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Augsburg gilt and engraved brass tower clock (Tischuhr)
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Height	27 cm (11 in)	“27cms (11ins) high.”
Escapement	Verge escapement with un-sprung balance	“verge escapement with un-sprung steel balance wheel mounted on the top plate”
Dial Features	Roman ring with tactile touch pins and inner 13-24 hour track	“Roman chapter ring framed by twelve raised touch pins for tactile reading at night, with simple half-hour marks enclosing the 13-24 hour Arabic inner hour band”
Countwheel Indicator	Rear 2-inch numbered disc	“The rear panel set with a 2 inch solid numbered countwheel with scroll-engraved centre and blued steel hand indicating the last hour struck.”
Date	Late 16th century	“late 16th century German gilt and engraved brass Augsburg tower clock”

Visible details

Gilt brass tower-style case surmounted by a standing finial figure holding a club.
Cupola with an open colonnade resting over Corinthian corner columns.
Circular engraved dial plate bearing concentric Roman and Arabic numeral tracks.

Research qualifications

The condition report notes that the front hand is a later replacement and the crown wheel may be an old replacement.
Internal movement and rear countwheel dial are described in the text but not visible in the provided front-perspective image.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: A fine and rare late 16th century German gilt and engraved brass Augsburg tower clock, or Tischuhr

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 69a9260e60

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.