An ormolu-mounted mahogany compound musical longcase clock, Peter Kinzing, German, circa 1785 and later

8-inch enamel dial signed Kinzing A Neuwied, crucifix minute hand and serpent hour hand, centre seconds, the substantial three train weight driven movement with pinwheel escapement, rack and bell striking, playing a tune every hour by means of a 5½-inch diameter 11½-inch long interchangeable brass pinned cylinder and twenty stops on forty organ pipes, formerly with a dulcimer, the case, with some later alterations, surmounted by a carved giltwood bust of Socrates, the stepped cresting with eagle corners above an architectural pediment, the trunk flanked by tapered pillars with milled capitals, rising from a three-tiered plinth, the front applied with a mask of Napoleon Bonapart below gryphons and a foliate mount, further similar mounts throughout, the interior of the case with later trade label for Carl Kinzing, Mainz; with four numbered brass cylinders, the storage box with similar trade label

This clock was presented in 1899 to the firm of Goulder, White & Gary, Lawyers of Cleveland, Ohio by the Lake Carriers Association who had purchased it from an an unknown antiques shop. It remained in their offices and then with their successors until 2014.

Dial has extensive damage to all apertures. Movement appears to be complete but will require cleaning and re-commissioning, dulcimer now lacking but hammers present. The case in generally good condition, bust now painted, side access doors with later alterations, some more recent internal restorations, rear of plinth with extensive paint marks, otherwise good. With pendulum, three weights two winders and case 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.

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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."

This most interesting and previously unrecorded compound musical clock was created in the workshops of the Kinzing family of Neuwied in the Rhineland of Germany. Neuwied was a centre for clock and furniture making in the 18th century and the compound musical clock, typically a combination of pipe organ and dulcimer, became the signature product of the clockmakers. Most famous of these was Peter Kinzing, (1745-1816) who together with the cabinet maker, David Roentgen, supplied musical clocks to important familes and Royalty throughout Europe. The cabinet work of this particular clock is not fully typical of the work of Roentgen but there are certainly some similarities in construction to other known Roentgen clocks such as the stepped plinths, glazed side access doors and the circular sound aperture to the rear door which also accomodates the large governing fly for the musical movement. This particular feature can be seen in the St Petersburg Apollo Kinzing/Roentgen musical clock which is dated 1785. The gilt dial surround is also found on many of the collaboration clocks.

The clock movement is of very high quality and finish with the use of a pinwheel escapement positioned to provide centre seconds indication. The musical mechanism is a particularly complicated form which apears to have been developed by Kinzing and involves the musical cylinder being helically pinned and taking four revolutions to complete the tune. It also has a spring-loaded stop for the second rank of organ pipes a feature also found in the St Petersburg clock. These are also features of the Kinzing clock in the Getty Museum although that example is completely unsigned.

It is unfortunate that the dulicimer has long since been removed from this clock and is now lost. However, thankfully the mechanism and hammers for playing the dulcimer have survived intact. It would appear that it was not uncommon for the dulcimers of these compound clocks to be removed at an early stage, probably due them going out of tune and not being correctly re-tuned.

The most important and intriguing aspect of this very rare and monumental clock is its musical programme which has not been heard properly performed in living memory.  All four of the original pinned brass cylinders survive in extremely fine condition and are inscribed Partie 1 through to Partie 4. It is known that the French Royal court had a strong influence on the production at Neuwied and that Marie Antoinette was very fond of the music of Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck. The clock that was supplied to Marie Antoinette by Kinzing and Roentgen survives with four barrels playing the music of Gluck and is now in the Nemours Mansion, Wilmington, Delaware. Another example at the Conservatoire in Paris has an identical musical programme. The St Petersburg example has three barrels also playing the music of Gluck. It has been suggested that the present clock, being unique to date in having the barrels so marked, may have been created with music chosen especially for the first owner.

For the new owner of this clock, the most exciting moment will come when, following restoration, the clock is brought back to life and the music heard in all of its glory. Only at that stage will the full meaning of Partie 1 to Partie 4 be known and this will certainly provide a most important addition to the knowledge of these rare compound German clocks.

Sotheby's wishes to thank Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume for his help in cataloguing this clock.