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Vienna, first half of the 19th century
- Case
- engraved and fire-gilt bronze (ormolu), front and sides with delicately engraved scrolling foliage and floral décor
- Dial
- silver-plated
- Movement
- verge escapement, petite sonnerie on wire gongs on demand
- Height
- 4 in
This Viennese miniature travel clock from the first half of the 19th century is only 4 in. high – a format that demanded the greatest skill and precision from the clockmaker, case maker and engraver. The ormolu case consists of a base with flat ball feet and a rectangular movement case with a curved handle. Front and sides are engraved with fine, partly floral scrolling foliage. The silver-plated dial with Roman numerals also features a star-shaped acanthus decoration. The movement with verge escapement can be wound up via the opening in the dial. The petite sonnerie on wire gongs sounds on request by pressing the small button below the handle. A petite sonnerie is a variation of the quarter-hour strike. In contrast to the Viennese grande sonnerie, the hourly chime after the quarter-hour strike is only heard on the full hour.