Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Musical tall case clock

Dutch Six-Tune Musical Tall Case Clock by H. Engeringh

Partially verified

According to the source, this mid-18th-century Dutch tall case clock is signed by H. Engeringh Cz. of Dordrecht and stands in a flame mahogany case measuring 104 inches high. The housing features a broken-arch hood, shaped serpentine door, and a swelling bombé base on claw feet. The dealer reports a three-train movement with a pinned musical cylinder operating 23 hammers across 12 bells to play six tunes at the hour or on demand, accompanied by a Dutch strike on two bells. The arched dial includes silvered and brass surfaces, gilt spandrels, time, seconds, day, date, month, zodiac signs, and lunar phase indications.

Dutch six-tune musical tall case clock by H. Engeringh, circa 1750
Dutch six-tune musical tall case clock by H. Engeringh, circa 1750 — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category
Clock · Musical tall case clock
Maker / attribution
H. Engeringh Cz.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ASUE 11 P
Source-reported date
Circa 1750
Country
Netherlands

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 Cabinetry

The clock is housed in a flame mahogany case measuring 104 inches high. The architecture features a broken-arch hood, a serpentine-shaped door, and a bombé base supported by feet.

The hood is surmounted by three ball-and-spire finials with central carved cresting, while the trunk door incorporates an oval, pierced gilt-metal lenticle.

Evidence for this section
  • “flame mahogany case features a broken-arch hood, a gracefully shaped serpentine door, and a boldly swelling bombé base”
  • “104″ High x 26″ Wide x 15″ Deep”
  • “Flame mahogany tall case surmounted by three ball-and-spire finials on a broken-arch hood with central carved cresting”
  • “Serpentine-shaped trunk door with an oval pierced gilt-metal lenticle ornament”

Dial and Astronomical Displays

The arched dial features silvered and brass surfaces with gilt cast spandrels. The source states the dial provides indications for time, seconds, day, date, month, zodiac signs, and lunar phases.

The internal astronomical components are not independently verified in the provided imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “The arched dial is an impressive work in its own right, combining silvered and brass surfaces with gilt cast spandrels”
  • “In addition to the time, it displays seconds, day, date, and month, together with the signs of the zodiac and phases of the moon”

Movement and Musical Mechanism

The source describes a three-train movement signed by H. Engeringh Cz. of Dordrecht. It includes a pinned musical cylinder that activates 23 hammers against 12 bells to play six tunes, either at the hour or on demand.

A separate Dutch striking system is reported to function on two bells. The internal movement and bell assembly are not directly observable.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed “H. Engeringh Cz., Dordrecht,””
  • “The three-train movement incorporates a pinned musical cylinder playing a selection of six tunes. At the hour, or whenever activated on demand, the cylinder directs 23 hammers across a nest of 12 bells”
  • “A separate Dutch striking system sounds on two bells.”

Open research questions

  • What specific conservation or restoration actions were performed on the cabinet and movement?
  • Does documentation exist regarding the specific musical compositions pinned to the cylinder?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Dutch Six-Tune Musical Tall Case Clock by H. Engeringh
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignatureH. Engeringh Cz., Dordrecht“Signed “H. Engeringh Cz., Dordrecht,””
Musical MechanismPinned cylinder with six tunes operating 23 hammers on 12 bells“The three-train movement incorporates a pinned musical cylinder playing a selection of six tunes. At the hour, or whenever activated on demand, the cylinder directs 23 hammers across a nest of 12 bells”
Striking MechanismDutch strike on two bells“A separate Dutch striking system sounds on two bells.”
Dial DisplaysTime, seconds, day, date, month, zodiac signs, and moon phases“In addition to the time, it displays seconds, day, date, and month, together with the signs of the zodiac and phases of the moon”
Dimensions104″ High x 26″ Wide x 15″ Deep“104″ High x 26″ Wide x 15″ Deep”
MakerH. Engeringh Cz., Dordrecht“Signed “H. Engeringh Cz., Dordrecht,””
Condition StatusRestored“Restored”

Visible details

  • Flame mahogany tall case surmounted by three ball-and-spire finials on a broken-arch hood with central carved cresting
  • Gilt capital accents flanking the arched glazed hood door
  • Arched dial featuring an astronomical moon-phase aperture, silvered chapter ring, subsidiary seconds, and ornate gilt spandrels
  • Serpentine-shaped trunk door with an oval pierced gilt-metal lenticle ornament
  • Bombé base resting on carved claw-and-ball feet

Research qualifications

  • Internal three-train movement, pinned musical cylinder, and bell nest are not directly visible in the image
  • Maker signature and calendar/astronomical apertures are reported by source and cannot be fully resolved at provided image scale
  • Seller notes the piece as restored without detailed conservation documentation

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

Consulted source

Dutch Six-Tune Musical Tall Case Clock by H. Engeringh, Circa 1750 - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record eab1f8c218

Terms in this record

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

Other musical tall case clock records