An attractive Dutch Louis XVI quarter striking musical longcase clock with automaton, Johannes Uswald

36.5-cm arched dial, engraved chapter ring with Roman numerals signed Johannes Uswalt Amsterdam, foliate pierced blued hands and subsidiary seconds, tune selection lever to the side, apertures for date, day, month and moonphase, well painted scene below depicting musicians playing for a noble couple and their two children outside their house, the musicians' arms connected to the substantial three train anchor movement with trip repeating Dutch rack quarter striking on two bells, an 18-cm cylinder musical mechanism playing one of twelve melodies every half hour with 28 hammers on 14 bells, mahogany case surmounted by a giltwood atlas and two angels, carved urn with trailing garlands in the moulded broken pediment above fluted fretwork, brass capped fluted corner columns flanking the glazed break arched door, trunk with canted corners, long door with rosette corners and urn lenticle, concave base with brass mounts to the corners raised on tapered feet

dial in good condition, painted scene good with a few minor chips, quality hands, movement in good condition and recently cleaned, musical mechanism in working order, arms of the automaton need to be connected again with string (small repair), case in good condition, brass parts a little dirty, colour of the wood very rich, pendulum is too high in the case compared to the lenticle which might indicate an association of movement and case but the style of the case and movement are very well fitting, the shape fits the mask perfectly, sides of the case have never been heightened which means there always was a dial in here with the movement in the top of the arch as with this clock, together with three weights, pendulum, winder, 3 statues, key,
"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."

Johannes Uswald is recorded working in Amsterdam at the Oudezijds Voorburgwal no. 13 in 1782 and 1795. J. Zeeman, De Nederlandse staande klok, Zutphen, 1996, p. 478.