Christiaan Huygens A’dam tail clock

Brass, gold-plated, white metal, patinated
Presumably Austria, 19th century
Inscribed on the reverse ‘DN’
Small brass movement, driven by own weight, verge escapement
White enameled dial, Roman hour-markers, Arabic minutes, blued hands, frontal cow tail
Toothed brass rod upon a multiply stepped round base, finely engraved
Height: 40.4 cm
Not functional, expenses for a repair work are €300-400
Refined weight-driven clock, whose dial moves down the toothed rack by its own weight
Estimate by Auctionata Expert: 1,400 Euro

Wall and table clocks mostly driven by their own weight, were very popular especially in the 18th century. They were primarily manufactured in Southern Germany and Austria. Their unusual drive was used for quite different formal types. As offered exemplar, sawtooth clocks are almost always fitted with a verge escapement and frontal pendulum.

Condition:

The sawtooth clock is in a good condition. The frontal pendulum is heavily bent. The gold-plating is partially slightly rubbed. The dial bears fine hairline cracks, indices and hands are rubbed. The timepiece is not functional, expenses for a repair work are approx. €300-400. The height of the sawtooth clock measures 40.4 cm.