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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Musical picture clock

Austrian Musical Picture Clock

Partially verified

This Austrian musical picture clock features a green-painted wooden frame measuring 45 x 50 cm. The dial is presented on a painted iron panel, which depicts a landscape with staffage figures and a central Christmas scene. A cutout within the painted backdrop accommodates a movable angel of the Annunciation. The scene includes two integrated rotating discs displaying hunting motifs and representations of the Turkish wars. The brass chapter ring features Roman numerals and is fitted with decorative brass hands. The clock is signed by the Viennese maker Antonius Köt(t)l (1743-1785) and carries the inscription 'La Invention Nouvelle'. It is equipped with a verge escapement and a 1-day running movement with a short pendulum.

Frontal view of the Austrian musical picture clock, showing the painted iron panel with the Christmas scene, the brass chapter ring, and the surrounding landscape with rotating discs.
Frontal view of the Austrian musical picture clock, showing the painted iron panel with the Christmas scene, the brass chapter ring, and the surrounding landscape with rotating discs. — Nagel Auction (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Musical picture clock
Maker / attribution
Antonius Köt(t)l
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
856
Source-reported date
18th century
Source-reported place
Austria

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 and Panel

The clock is housed in a rectangular frame painted in a green finish and fitted with a protective glass front. The interior composition is set upon a painted iron panel, which serves as both the clock face and a decorative scene. The artwork features a pastoral landscape populated with staffage figures.

Central to the pictorial composition is a depiction of a Christmas scene. A specific architectural cutout in the backdrop allows for the movement of an angel of the Annunciation. Additionally, two integrated rotating discs are built into the design, showing thematic hunting motifs alongside depictions of the Turkish wars.

Evidence for this section
  • “Green painted frame case with glass front.”
  • “Painted iron panel with figural staffage, central Christmas scene and backdrop cut-out for movable angel of the Annunciation and two rotating discs with hunting motifs and depiction of the Turkish wars.”

Movement and Dial

The clock features a circular brass chapter ring displaying Roman numerals for the hours. The hands are crafted from brass and exhibit decorative detailing. The dial itself bears the signature of the maker, Antonius Köt(t)l of Vienna, and includes the French inscription 'La Invention Nouvelle' near the bottom of the chapter ring.

Mechanically, the clock is powered by a movement with a 1-day duration and a short pendulum.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brass chapter ring with Roman numerals and decorated brass hands, signed ‘Kötl Wien’ and inscribed ‘La Invention Nouvelle’.”
  • “Verge escapement with 1-day running time and short pendulum.”
  • “Rest. added, no guarantee of functioning.”

Provenance and Attribution

The maker is identified as Antonius Köt(t)l (1743-1785), who practiced as a clockmaker in Vienna. The object is attributed to the 18th century.

Records of the object's history show it was formerly part of the Sapper Collection in Stuttgart. Prior to this, it was acquired by the collection from Guggenberger Antiquitäten in Salzburg in 1985.

Evidence for this section
  • “Antonius Köt(t)l (1743-1785) was clockmaker in Vienna.”
  • “The Sapper Collection, Stuttgart With Guggenberger Antiquitäten, Salzburg, 1985.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific musical mechanism contained within this clock, and how is it actuated?
  • What is the full extent and period of the documented 'restoration' mentioned in the auction report?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Austrian Musical Picture Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAntonius Köt(t)l“Antonius Köt(t)l (1743-1785) was clockmaker in Vienna.”
Dimensions45 x 50 cm“45 x 50 cm”
InscriptionLa Invention Nouvelle“inscribed ‘La Invention Nouvelle’”
EscapementVerge escapement“Verge escapement”
Running time1-day“1-day running time”
ProvenanceThe Sapper Collection, Stuttgart; Guggenberger Antiquitäten, Salzburg, 1985“The Sapper Collection, Stuttgart With Guggenberger Antiquitäten, Salzburg, 1985.”

Visible details

  • Painted green wooden frame with glass front
  • Painted iron panel with figural landscape scenes
  • Brass chapter ring with Roman numerals
  • Two rotating discs featuring hunting and war motifs

Research qualifications

  • The source notes the object has been restored, but does not specify the extent or nature of these restorations.
  • The source provides no guarantee for the current mechanical functioning of the movement.

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

Consulted source

AN AUSTRIAN MUSICAL PICTURE CLOCK

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 114019188a

Terms in this record

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