A good brass weight driven striking skeleton table regulator with "coupe perdu" attributed to Lepine circa 1830

13.5-cm enamel dial with Roman numerals signed for the retailer H.C. Gropengieser in Hameln, blued Breguet hands and sweep seconds, gilt moulded bezel with sunburst cresting, weight driven movement of two week duration with 'coupe perdu' pinwheel escapement and maintaining power, roller suspended heavy gridiron pendulum with beat adjustment to the crutch, spring driven trip repeating rack striking on a bell mounted below to the inverted Y-shaped brass frame on adjustable screwed feet, mahogany base with moulded spring loaded trap doors for extra weight drop, under a glass dome

dial and hands in good condition, movement in good condition and able to function, the whole clock is in a nice original condition, not too clean, not too dirty, running very well, mahogany base a little pale, the dome not original but almost fitting this base (one has to look very carefully to spot this), together with a winder, two weights, a dome and spirit level
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The present lot belongs to a group of skeleton table regulators which were produced in the late 18^th and early 19^th century, baring the names of Breguet, Lepine and Robin among others. Their lay-out and design bares close resemblance and it is well possible that all were manufactured by the same maker. The typical inverted Y-shaped frame and horizontal arms for the weight suspension being the most striking features. Several similar regulators depicted in Derek Roberts' book on skeleton clocks and a skeleton clock sold at Christies Paris in 2006 all signed Lepine, make an attribution of this lot to the house Lepine very likely. Derek Roberts, Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, pp. 62-66

 

The 'coupe perdu' escapement employed on this regulator is an adaptation of the pinwheel escapement. One of the arms of the escapement is fitted with a pivoted detent. It makes the sweep seconds beating true seconds with a half second pendulum used.

 

(Ernst Julius) Heinrich Carl Gropengießer was son of an organist from Einbeck. He is recorded being married in 1825 with Caroline Hahn in Hameln were he had founded a clock shop. They were to have six children. He is thought to have died after 1878.

 

With an advertisement in the 'Hamelnsche Anzeigen' in 1824, H.C. Gropengieser announces that he has taken up business as a clockmaker and seller.  He states that "he has good relations with an established trading company which enable him to deliver all kinds of new clocks at possibly low prices." This advertisement shows the way many clockmakers worked in the 19^th century. Selling clocks that were made by other specialised makers and workshops while taking care themselves of the maintenance.

 

Among his clientele were members of the House of Hanover. A very similar, but slightly less complicated skeleton clock baring his signature was sold by Sotheby's in The Hanover Sale, The Royal House of Hanover, lot 2274, October 2005.