Zoom
Vienna, first quarter of the 19th century
- signed
- „Peter Rau in Wien“
- Clockmaker
- Peter Rau,
- Vienna, * 6.22.1780 Bingen/Rhine, master 1811, † 9.25.1829 Vienna
- Case
- engine turned, matt and gloss fire-gilt bronze (ormolu), two cornucopias with ram’s heads, glazed backside of the clock drum, two viewing windows at the sides
- Dial
- engine turned ormolu dial
- Movement
- anchor escapement, mock gridiron pendulum, Viennese grande sonnerie on wire gongs, repeater, turn-off for strike, indication of date
- Height
- 17¼ in
This particularly richly guillochéd mantel clock with skillfully rendered matt and gloss gilding is a masterpiece of the Viennese Empire. The model is one of the most sought-after examples of Austrian clockmaking from that era, has been published several times in specialist literature and is represented in the most important collections.
The case was produced in two different sizes – this larger version is significantly rarer and more detailed and is therefore particularly sought-after. Curved cornucopias with rams’ heads rest on two engine turned conical plinths, which support the case drum. Behind the pendulum with mock temperature compensation and engine turned pendulum disk is an openwork lyre, which serves as an additional support. The finial is in the shape of a finely crafted oil lamp with winding snake handles.
The glazed back and two viewing windows on the sides allow fascinating insights into the movement with Viennese quarter strike and date display, which was made by the well-known master clockmaker Peter Rau (1780–1829). Rau, born in Bingen am Rhein, received his master’s title in Vienna in 1811. He was one of the best Viennese clockmakers of his time. In his store in Josefstadt, he created outstanding clock movements and worked with the best case makers in the city. This magnificent mantel clock is proof of his great mastery as well as the outstanding skills of the Viennese bronziers.
An Empire clock with an almost identical case can be found in the Vienna Clock Museum (inv. no. UI79).