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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Gordian Hettich Sohn Carved Walnut 'Trumpeter' Mantel Clock

Partially verified

This late 19th-century German Black Forest mantel clock by Gordian Hettich Sohn is housed in a carved walnut architectural case. It is powered by a twin going barrel movement with skeletonised plates, an anchor escapement, and an external countwheel. The source reports that hourly announcements are sounded on two trumpets driven by bellows, accompanied by a coiled gong and an automaton polychrome trumpeter emerging from behind double doors below the dial. The walnut case features turned finials, strapwork, knopped split pilasters, and an engraved 1898 silvered presentation plaque on the base.

Front full view of the carved walnut trumpeter mantel clock showing the dial, finials, and base plaque
Front full view of the carved walnut trumpeter mantel clock showing the dial, finials, and base plaque — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.dreweatts.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Gordian Hettich Sohn
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1172
Source-reported date
late 19th century
Country
Germany
Source-reported serial
42

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

Identity and Attribution

This Black Forest mantel clock is identified as a product of the firm Gordian Hettich Sohn, based in Furtwangen, Germany. The backplate of the movement is stamped 'G.H.S.' beneath the number '42'.

The clock includes a silvered metal presentation plaque on the base engraved with the text: 'Carlisle Working Mens Club. BILLIARD HANDICAP 1898, FIRST PRIZE, WON BY, ROBERT STUBBS'.

Evidence for this section
  • “GORDIAN HETTICH SOHN, FURTWANGEN, LATE 19th CENTURY”
  • “the backplate stamped G.H.S. beneath number 42”
  • “the base with arched recesses beneath stepped ogee mouldings applied with silvered plaque engraved Carlisle Working Mens Club. BILLIARD HANDICAP 1898, FIRST PRIZE, WON BY, ROBERT STUBBS to front”

Case Description

The walnut architectural case features three spire-turned finials atop a cavetto-moulded break-arch superstructure, which contains a strapwork motif in the tympanum. The façade includes an ogee cornice, a corbel frieze, and full-height split pilasters with knopped shafts flanking the dial.

Below the concentric wooden dial, a hinged double-door mechanism reveals an automaton trumpeter figure. The base includes arched recesses beneath stepped ogee mouldings.

Evidence for this section
  • “the case with three spire-turned finials to the cavetto moulded break-arch superstructure inset with strapwork motif to tympanum flanked by applied blocks, over ogee cornice, corbel frieze”
  • “the front also with drapery swag decoration and arched aperture applied with two doors revealing the trumpeter figure”
  • “flanked by full-height split pilasters with knopped shafts”

Movement and Automaton Mechanism

The clock is driven by a twin going barrel, four-pillar movement with skeletonised plates and an anchor escapement regulated by a shaped-bob pendulum. An external countwheel manages the hourly strike sequence.

The animation and sound components consist of two crank-driven bellows that operate two trumpets, accompanied by a coiled gong. The automaton, a polychrome trumpet player, appears from behind the lower doors during the hourly announcement. The source reports that the figure has been restored.

Evidence for this section
  • “The twin going barrel four pillar movement with skeletonised plates and anchor escapement regulated by a shaped-bob pendulum”
  • “announcing every hour on two trumpets via two crank driven bellows fitted above the plates, whilst repeatedly revealing a polychrome figure of a trumpet player from behind the pair of doors beneath the dial”
  • “the figure has been restored”

Open research questions

  • Does the serial number '42' refer to a specific production run or sequence for this model type?
  • Are there extant records for the Carlisle Working Men's Club billiard handicaps to verify the historical provenance of the plaque?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gordian Hettich Sohn Carved Walnut 'Trumpeter' Mantel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker markG.H.S. beneath number 42“the backplate stamped G.H.S. beneath number 42”
EscapementAnchor escapement“skeletonised plates and anchor escapement regulated by a shaped-bob pendulum”
Automaton and strike mechanismTwo trumpets via bellows and coiled gong“external countwheel for announcing every hour on two trumpets via two crank driven bellows fitted above the plates, whilst repeatedly revealing a polychrome figure of a trumpet player”
Dial featuresConcentric turned wood with ivorine numerals and bone hands“concentric turned wooden dial applied with ivorine Gothic Roman numerals and with scroll-pierced bone hands”
Plaque inscriptionCarlisle Working Mens Club Billiard Handicap 1898“Carlisle Working Mens Club. BILLIARD HANDICAP 1898, FIRST PRIZE, WON BY, ROBERT STUBBS”
Clock dimensions72 cm high, 32 cm wide, 19 cm deep“The clock 72cm (28.25ins) high, 32cm (12.5ins) wide, 19cm (7.5ins) wide.”
Dimensions72cm high, 32cm wide, 19cm deep“The clock 72cm (28.25ins) high, 32cm (12.5ins) wide, 19cm (7.5ins) wide.”
Dial FeaturesConcentric turned wooden dial with ivorine Gothic Roman numerals and scroll-pierced bone hands“concentric turned wooden dial applied with ivorine Gothic Roman numerals and with scroll-pierced bone hands”

Visible details

  • Architectural case topped with three spire-turned wooden finials over a rounded pediment with pierced strapwork.
  • Flanking split knopped pilasters frame the concentric wooden chapter ring and dual winding holes.
  • A small hinged double door below the dial sits above an engraved metal plaque attached to the plinth base.

Research qualifications

  • Lot includes a softbound trade catalogue not depicted in this primary photograph.
  • Source notes the trumpeter automaton figure has been restored.

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

Consulted source

A GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED WALNUT ‘TRUMPETER’ MANTEL CLOCK

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record e9b0aaabec

Terms in this record

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

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