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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Shield wall clock

Black Forest Lacquered Shield Clock

Partially verified

This 19th-century German Black Forest wall clock features an arched lacquered shield dial crafted in wood and metal. The painted dial plate displays polychrome floral ornamentation, including a central floral garland, corner spandrel motifs, and an upper lunette decorated with fruit and foliage. The chapter ring features black Roman numerals alongside baton indices and two black central hands. According to the cataloguing, the clock is fitted with a wooden plate movement that strikes the half-hour on an internal bell, though the pendulum and driving weights are missing.

Frontal view of the painted shield dial showing Roman numerals, hands, and floral motifs
Frontal view of the painted shield dial showing Roman numerals, hands, and floral motifs — Stockholms Auktionsverk Köln. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctionet.com
Category
Clock · Shield wall clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
5373157
Source-reported date
19th 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

Dial Construction and Decorative Features

The clock features an arched wooden shield dial decorated with polychrome floral motifs. The painted surface displays a central floral garland, corner spandrel ornaments, and a lunette adorned with fruit and foliage. The chapter ring consists of black Roman numerals accompanied by baton indices.

Visible physical evidence includes surface craquelure and areas of paint wear along the edges of the shield. Two winding apertures are located in the regions of the IV and VIII numerals. The time is indicated by two black-painted metal hands featuring circular ring accents.

Evidence for this section
  • “arched dial, polychrome floral decoration”
  • “Arched painted wooden shield with visible fine surface craquelure and edge paint wear”
  • “Dial features two winding apertures positioned near the IV and VIII numeral regions”

Mechanism and Internal Configuration

The clock is fitted with a wooden plate movement designed to strike the half-hour on a bell. The functional status of this mechanism has not been tested.

Evidence indicates that the clock is incomplete, with the pendulum and driving weights currently absent from the assembly.

Evidence for this section
  • “wooden plate movement striking the half-hour on a bell”
  • “weights and pendulum absent”

Condition and Provenance

Attributed to 19th-century Germany, the object exhibits wear and rubbing consistent with age, including partial paint chipping, craquelure, and inactive woodworm.

As the item is not tested for functionality and lacks primary driving components, it remains a decorative object. The dating is based on the source-provided auction cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “19th century, Germany”
  • “Wear and rubbing consistent with age, partial paint chipping and craquelure, inactive woodworm”
  • “function not tested”

Open research questions

  • Are there any manufacturer marks or stamps on the rear of the wooden plate movement?
  • Can the paint palette be analyzed to confirm if the polychrome floral ornamentation is original to the 19th-century construction?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Black Forest Lacquered Shield Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement typeWooden plate movement striking the half-hour on a bell“wooden plate movement striking the half-hour on a bell”
Dial decorationArched dial with polychrome floral decoration“arched dial, polychrome floral decoration”
DimensionsApprox. H. 35.5 cm x W. 25.5 cm x D. 16.5 cm“H. 35.5 cm x W. 25.5 cm x D. 16.5 cm”
Missing partsWeights and pendulum absent“weights and pendulum absent”
Dimensions35.5 cm (H) x 25.5 cm (W) x 16.5 cm (D)“H. 35.5 cm x W. 25.5 cm x D. 16.5 cm”

Visible details

  • Arched painted wooden shield with visible fine surface craquelure and edge paint wear
  • Dial features two winding apertures positioned near the IV and VIII numeral regions
  • Black-painted metal hands with circular ring accents

Research qualifications

  • Functionality is not tested or guaranteed
  • Pendulum and driving weights are not present

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

Consulted source

BLACK FOREST LACQUERED SHIELD CLOCK, wood, metal, 19th century, Germany. Clocks & Watches - Wall Clocks - Auctionet

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 9ae293c7cf

Terms in this record

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