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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne Ebonized Wood and Brass Mounted 'Shield-Form' Mantel Clock

Partially verified

According to Sotheby's, this ebonized wood and brass-mounted mantel clock was made in Germany circa 1900 and is attributed to Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne. The case features a shield-form silhouette surmounted by a spread-winged brass eagle finial and flanked by pinecone finials. The lower section flutes into a turned pedestal atop a stepped plinth raised on turned feet. The circular white dial displays black Arabic numerals with five-minute markers, ornate pierced hands, and twin winding apertures.

Front view of Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne shield-form mantel clock
Front view of Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne shield-form mantel clock — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
14
Source-reported date
Circa 1900
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

Identity and Attribution

Sotheby's lists this mantel clock as an ebonized wood and brass mounted 'shield-form' clock, cataloging it under 'Lorenz Furtwangler & Sonne' and dating it to circa 1900 with German origin. The catalogue note provides historical background on the maker's factory origins beginning in 1836, citing an article by E. J. Tyler in Clocks (September 1987) regarding the firm's incorporation and trademark registrations.

No maker signature or company logo is visible on the dial face in the auction photograph. The attribution to Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne relies on the catalog description, as any internal movement markings or case stamps are not illustrated or recorded in the provided documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “An Ebonized Wood and Brass Mounted 'Shield-Form' Mantel Clock, Lorenz Furtwangler & Sonne, Germany, Circa 1900”
  • “The trademark of the letters LFS inside a wheel was registered in 1881 and 1895.”
  • “E J Tyler, "The Furtwangen factory," Clocks , September 1987.”

Case Architecture and Mounts

The case exhibits a shield-form silhouette constructed from ebonized wood with decorative brass mounts. Its crest is surmounted by a spread-winged brass eagle finial, accompanied by two turned pinecone finials positioned on the upper shoulders.

The shield body tapers into a fluted lower section above a turned pedestal support. This pedestal sits on a stepped rectangular base supported by turned feet, with a rectangular brass plaque mounted flush on the forward face of the plinth.

Evidence for this section
  • “Surmounted by a spread-winged brass eagle finial on the crest and flanked by two pinecone finials.”
  • “Shield-shaped ebonized body tapered into a fluted lower section above a turned pedestal and rectangular base on turned feet.”
  • “A rectangular brass plaque is inset into the front of the stepped base plinth.”

Dial and Indication

The circular dial is white with black Arabic numerals indicating the hours, bordered by an outer minute track that incorporates red five-minute markers. Time is shown with pierced brass hands.

Two winding apertures are positioned on the dial at approximately 4 and 8 o'clock. Internal movement components, striking gear, and escapement details are not illustrated or recorded in the catalog entry.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Arabic numerals, outer minute track with red five-minute markers, two winding apertures at 4 and 8 o'clock, and pierced brass hands.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement backplate bear the registered 'LFS' wheel trademark or other factory stampings to confirm the catalog attribution?
  • What specific striking mechanism and escapement configuration are installed inside the case?
  • Does the inset rectangular brass plaque on the stepped plinth show evidence of prior engraving or provenance inscriptions?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lorenz Furtwängler & Söhne Ebonized Wood and Brass Mounted 'Shield-Form' Mantel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLorenz Furtwängler & Söhne“Lorenz Furtwangler & Sonne”
OriginGermany“Germany”
DateCirca 1900“Circa 1900”
Title DescriptionAn Ebonized Wood and Brass Mounted 'Shield-Form' Mantel Clock“An Ebonized Wood and Brass Mounted 'Shield-Form' Mantel Clock”
ProvenanceProperty from the Collection of Dr. Larry McCallister“Property from the Collection of Dr. Larry McCallister”
Prior Auction ProvenanceSkinner, Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts, October 11 & 12, 2012, sale 2616M, lot 841“Skinner, Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts, Discovery Auction , October 11 & 12, 2012, sale 2616M, lot 841.”
Prior Auction ProvenanceSkinner, Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts, Discovery Auction, October 11 & 12, 2012, sale 2616M, lot 841“Skinner, Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts, Discovery Auction , October 11 & 12, 2012, sale 2616M, lot 841.”

Visible details

  • Surmounted by a spread-winged brass eagle finial on the crest and flanked by two pinecone finials.
  • White dial with black Arabic numerals, outer minute track with red five-minute markers, two winding apertures at 4 and 8 o'clock, and pierced brass hands.
  • Shield-shaped ebonized body tapered into a fluted lower section above a turned pedestal and rectangular base on turned feet.
  • A rectangular brass plaque is inset into the front of the stepped base plinth.

Research qualifications

  • Source spells the maker as 'Lorenz Furtwangler & Sonne'.
  • Internal movement, escapement, and case reverse are not shown.
  • Maker attribution and dating to circa 1900 are source-reported and not independently verifiable from visible dial marks.

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

Consulted source

An Ebonized Wood and Brass Mounted 'Shield-Form' Mantel Clock, Lorenz

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 95389208b7

Terms in this record

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

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