Clock · Picture frame clock

Picture frame clock with glass pane

Partially verified

This picture frame clock is catalogued by the source as dating to the first half of the 19th century. Built within an ornate gilded frame structure, the clock encloses an oil painting on plywood depicting a mountain landscape with a lake and a church. Set within the upper part of the scene is a white enamel dial showing Roman numerals and blackened hands, flanked by two winding holes. The source describes the movement as featuring a half-hour striking disc mechanism on a clay spring, and notes the clock measures 47 by 41 by 14 cm.

Front view of the gilded picture frame clock depicting a landscape scene and enamel dial — Historia Auktionshaus. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bidsquare.com
Category: Clock · Picture frame clock
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 3323
Source-reported date: 1st half 19th c.
Country: Not established

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

Visual Composition and Framing

The object presents as a picture frame clock enclosed by a gilded surround described in the catalog as 'gilded leaf'. Visible observations note a heavily ornamented gilded frame with scrolled edges, fluted borders, and floral relief moldings surrounding the central pictorial scene. The overall dimensions recorded by the seller are 47 by 41 by 14 cm HBT.

The artwork is described as an oil painting on plywood depicting a mountain landscape with a lake and a church. Visible inspection shows the scene depicting a river or lake bordered by hills, trees, and a small church building with a spire, with the dial mounted into the upper sky area of the panel.

Evidence for this section

“gilded leaf with oil painting on plywood”
“Heavily ornamented gilded frame with scrolled edges, fluted borders, and floral relief moldings framing the central scene.”
“47x41x14 cm HBT”
“depicting a mountain landscape with lake and church”
“Oil painting on plywood depicting a river or lake bordered by hills, trees, and a small church building with a spire.”

Dial and Movement Details

The clock dial is described as a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and blackened hands. Visual observations confirm a circular white enamel dial set centrally in the upper sky portion of the painting, featuring Roman hour numerals and two visible winding arbors.

The movement is not visible in the provided photograph and is documented only through source-reported technical details. The catalog states it is a 'clockwork with 1/2 hour striking disc movement on clay spring' and reports that the 'clockwork starts', though no extended testing, mechanical warranty, or running accuracy is documented.

Evidence for this section

“white enamel dial with roman numerals and blackened hands”
“Circular white enamel dial set centrally in the upper sky portion of the painting, with Roman hour numerals and two visible winding arbors.”
“clockwork with 1/2 hour striking disc movement on clay spring”
“clockwork starts”

Dating and Source Documentation

The auction catalog dates the object to the '1st half 19th c.' and titles it 'Picture frame clock with glass pane'. No maker, signature, or country of origin is recorded in the source text or visible on the dial.

Because the interior casing and movement are not depicted in the listing imagery, mechanical descriptions rely entirely on the seller's summary. Any assessment regarding whether the plywood support is original or a later repair or modification is not addressed in the auction listing.

Evidence for this section

“1st half 19th c.”
“Picture frame clock with glass pane”
“oil painting on plywood”

Open research questions

Does the plywood panel represent the original painted support from the first half of the 19th century or a later remounting/restoration?
What markings, serials, or stamps are present on the movement plates or the rear of the frame?
What specific workshop or regional tradition (such as Austrian or German Biedermeier frame clocks) produced this piece?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Picture frame clock with glass pane
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Date	1st half 19th c.	“1st half 19th c.”
Medium and Frame	Gilded leaf with oil painting on plywood	“gilded leaf with oil painting on plywood”
Subject	Mountain landscape with lake and church	“depicting a mountain landscape with lake and church”
Dial	White enamel dial with Roman numerals and blackened hands	“white enamel dial with roman numerals and blackened hands”
Movement	Half-hour striking disc movement on clay spring	“clockwork with 1/2 hour striking disc movement on clay spring”
Dimensions	47x41x14 cm HBT	“47x41x14 cm HBT”
Dimensions	47 x 41 x 14 cm HBT	“47x41x14 cm HBT”
Glazing	Fitted with glass pane	“Picture frame clock with glass pane”
Operational Claim	Clockwork starts	“clockwork starts”

Visible details

Heavily ornamented gilded frame with scrolled edges, fluted borders, and floral relief moldings framing the central scene.
Circular white enamel dial set centrally in the upper sky portion of the painting, with Roman hour numerals and two visible winding arbors.
Oil painting on plywood depicting a river or lake bordered by hills, trees, and a small church building with a spire.

Research qualifications

The source description states that the movement 'starts', but provides no warranty regarding prolonged mechanical function or accuracy.
The movement and interior casing are not visible in the supplied photograph; mechanical details are source-reported.
No maker or country of origin is identified by the auction house.

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

Consulted source

Picture frame clock with glass sold at auction on 24th August | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 809378b497

Terms in this record

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