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A hand carved painted long case clock from Scandinavia c.1790

$9,863List Price

About the Item

A fantastic hand carved wooden long case clock with the original painted finish from Scandinavia c. 1790 with a hand painted scenic dial face. This is an exceptional clock for two reasons. The exuberant shape of the case developed during the Baroque and Rococo periods in the 1700's when curvaceous lines were the epitome of style. The case is elevated upon bracket feet visible from both the front and the sides and is joined to the lower section of the body by a raised and moulded edge. The lower body then curves inward slightly before expanding outward in a delightful bombe shape. This type of construction takes great skill and an extravagant use of material. Solid pieces of wood had to be cut away to reveal this curvilinear surface as seen here in this clock. Above this lower section is a line of boldly shaped moulding chosen to balance the overall scale of the entire case. The upper section of the case is a more slender version of the lower section with the same wonderful bombe shape to the front and sides. This is also the section where the door is located that when opened reveals the pendulum and weights that drive the clock works. The door has a round opening that encloses a piece of antique glass that enables the swinging movement of the pendulum to be seen when the door is closed. This circle of glass is embellished on the exterior of the door with a circular moulding that is raised from the surface of the door. This is important to note because of the function moulding played in the appearance of furniture when the only illumination at night came from natural sources such as fire light and candle light. The varying level of light from a natural flame cast wonderful shadows across the surface of a piece and highlighted raised areas while casting areas that were recessed into darkness. The shape of the door also follows the bombe shape of the cabinet both in its exterior edge and the actual curve of the door front. Above the door is where this clock becomes quite intriguing from a period standpoint. At the top of the door is a circular medallion carved with a diamond in the centre flanked by a half diamond on the right and left whose shape is slightly truncated due to the shape of the circle. Then at the top of the case itself above the door is a horizontal strip of symmetrical moulding that crosses the front and the sides. Both of these are motifs that appeared during the neoclassical period in Scandinavia and referred to as Gustavian after the Gustav III who reigned in Sweden from 1771-1792. These dates of course are roughly the same as the reign of Louis XVI in France (1774-1792) where the neoclassical style first flowered extensively and spread around the world. The combination of these neoclassical motifs upon a case that is decidedly from an earlier period shows the reach even into rural areas of Scandinavia. The original painted finish on this clock is marvelous and shows the passage of time over two hundred years. Old painted finishes exhibit this appearance because paint was made of natural and organic materials including chalk and milk that were never meant to stay the same over centuries. It has only been in the twentieth century that synthetic and chemical based paint with a long life became a goal. The bonnet or hood of the clock stands directly upon the base and protects the mechanism of the clock works from ant errant wind or the touch of unskilled hands. This top actually is totally removable from the base and its removal facilitates the transport of the clock as the clock works, the pendulum, the two iron weights and the hood and body were all designed to be separated for safe transport. The most celebrated city in all of Scandinavia for clockworks was Mora and sometimes dials are painted with that city's name. The making of clock mechanisms were an additional and supplemental income for farmers and the method involved separate manufacture of the different parts of the clock before assembly. The finished clock works were then sent throughout the area and the buyer would have a case made to their specifications by a local cabinet maker. This is why there are such a variety of clock cases that each possess such a distinct personality. The door to the hood opens fully and swings from left to right to allow access to the clock face. When opened the hands of the clock could be adjusted and of course the clock could be wound with a key. The two small holes where the key is inserted each wound one weight-one weight for the minute hand and the other for the hour hand. The clock strikes the hour with the most charming sound as Scandinavian clock works use a combination of two cast iron bells with a separate hammer to strike each bell. The difference in tone is quite pleasing to the ear and sounds unlike any clocks from England, Germany or France. The hood of this clock also has the original side windows with antique glass that allow the mechanism to be seen without removing the bonnet top. The painted enamel dial face of the clock is full of wonderful scenes of a perfect day. The arched section at the top show a town scene where a couple are enjoying leisurely stroll along the river that winds through town where a pair of gentleman in top hats are seen rowing a small boat. A single man, also dressed in a top hat, sits on the water's edge while casting his fishing pole while a pair of swans glide serenely across the surface. A large sailing boat is seen in the distance as is the townscape with its distinctively Scandinavian architecture including a turret on one of the buildings. The time is marked by large Roman numerals depicting the hours and the surrounding areas are decorated with hand painted flowers at each of the four corners as well as in the centre of the dial. The beautiful painted exterior of this clock and the accompanying works are a lovely blend of functionality and whimsey and will be a delight to live with here in the twenty-first century as much as when it was new. The clock works have been professionally restored and are in fine working order.

Dimensions:
Height: 83 in (210.82 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Painted
Place of Origin:
Scandinavia
Period:
18th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
c.1790
Condition:
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: EEJ5221stDibs: U1203198668652

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