A Viennese turtleshell boulle month-going longcase clock with associated movement by Daniel Quare, Vienna/London, circa 1700

11-inch dial with cherub and scroll spandrels, signed Dan Quare, London, subsidiary silent/strike and regulation dials to the upper corners, matted centre with seconds dial, engraved date aperture and ringed winding holes, the substantial movement with five knopped and ringed pillars, five-wheel going train with anchor escapement, four-wheel striking train with large great wheel and high count train, rack striking hours and half hours on a bell, formerly with repeating work, the associated case with domed caddy cresting surmounted by a gilt figure of Chronos above urn finials, Corinthian-capped pillars and glazed side doors, the waisted trunk with a gilt-framed lenticle, the base on gilt scroll feet, the whole finely inlaid in engraved turtleshell and brass with foliate strapwork on a pewter ground with ebony borders, the thrunk door with an eagle above the cypher of Prince Eugene of Savoy supported by winged terms

This and other Austrian and German boulle clocks are illustrated and discussed in a series of articles entitled Frühe Uhren Mit Deutschen Boulle-Gehäusen by Jürgen Ermert and published in the journal Klassik Uhren issues 4, 5 and 6, 2010.

Dial is clean, minute hand replaced, hour hand possibly replaced, mounts below dial replaced. Associated movement is reasonably clean and looks as though it would run, lacking quarter repeating work, strike/silent levers missing. Case in very good restored condition throughout, figure of chronos heavily repaired (wings possibly not original). With pendulum, 2 brass-cased weights, 2 case keys and a winder.
"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."

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Daniel Quare, a celebrated maker, was born in Somerset circa 1647 and became a Free Brother in the Clockmakers' Company from 1671, Warden from 1705 and Master in 1708. He was a strict Quaker and refused to accept the prestigeous position of clockmaker to King George I on account of not wishing to take the Oath of Allegiance. He was, nevertheless, received at the Palace and allowed `freedom to enter by the back stairs'. He took a number of apprentices from 1673 including, from 1701, Stephen Horseman who later became his partner. Daniel Quare died in 1724, while on a visit to Croydon, and was buried in the Quakers' Burial Ground at Bunhill Fields, Finsbury.

André Charles Boulle, (1642-1732), was a French cabinetmaker famous for the quality of his marquetry in turtleshell, brass and other metals.  He was a cabinetmaker to Louis XIV and he received commissions from European nobility. the term boulle is now used to describe all inlay executed in this technique.

From the late 17th Century the popularity of this technique caused it to be practised in other areas, most noticeably in Munich, Germany and Vienna, Austria. Little is known of the individual cabinetmakers but their commissions sometimes included the arms of their patrons as in this clock inlaid with those of Prince Eugen of Savoy.  A very similar clock case, now in the Hofburg Palace, Vienna, has the arms of King Leopold I as Holy Roman Emperor. The inlay of this clock case is of the highest quality with free-flowing foliate scrolls and finely engraved details.

Prince Eugen of Savoy was born in the Hotel de Soissons, Paris on 16th October 1663 the youngest son of Olympia Mancini, niece of Cardinal Mazarin nd Eugene Maurice, Prince of Savoy and Count of Soissons. Brought up at the Court of Louis XIV, it was felt that a career in the Church would be appropriate for him due to his weak health.  However, he was determined to join the military and, having been rejected in this role by the King, at the age of nineteen he fled France and joined King Leopold I in Austria were he was given a warm welcome due to his family connection to the Habsburgs.  His military career is well documented and his actions bought him fame, influence and wealth. It was only through his assistance that Leopold I emerged victorious from the Great Turkish War. The similarities between the Leopold clock and this one are obvious but was this clock commissioned by King Leopold as a gift to Prince Eugen or was it commissioned by Prince Eugen himself? The latter may certainly be true as he became a great patron of the arts.  Prince Eugen died in Vienna in 1736.