JOHANN PETER MAYR | A QUARTER STRIKING ASTRONOMICAL MASTERPIECE CLOCK WITH ALARMAUGSBURG, CIRCA 1740

• Movement: substantial posted movement with chain fusees to all three trains, verge escapement with short pendulum and silk suspension mounted in front of the time dial, the striking trains mounted to each side and with their own indication dials, striking and quarter striking on two bells, standing barrel for the alarm, both sides of the movement signed as the regulation dial, signed Johan Peter Mayr, Augspurg• Dial: the front with 3-inch champlevé time dial I-XII twice, enclosing day and night indication and within a double-sided calendar ring engraved with the saint for each day of the year and associated dominical letter, subsidiary dials for the day of the week with associated deity and a zodiacal calendar with, at the centre, a further dial for setting the position of the sun in the zodiac, the small regulation dial above signed Johan Peter Mayr, Augspurg, the rear with an astrolabic dial and subsidiaries for strike/silent, 12/24 hour striking, alarm and dominical letter indication• Case: cube-form With a modern perspex stand and cover

DIAL: In very good original condition throughout CASE: In very good original condition throughout MOVEMENT: would benefit from a clean and fresh oil. With pendulum but no winder. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"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."

Very little is known about Johann Peter Mayr but it is recorded that he became a master clockmaker in Augsburg in 1740 and obtained his Freedom of the Guild on 10th July 1742. In order to gain admittance to the Augsburg Guild it was necessary to make a clock according to strict guidelines which had been laid down in 1558 and amended in 1577. The guidelines were still in force in the 18th century and, despite huge advances in clockmaking and changes in styles, remained virtually unaltered from the 16th century. The only later concession was for a pendulum to fitted but even this was not introduced until 1703, over forty years after its invention.

The present clock dates to circa 1740 and yet no clockmaker of the 18th century would have made such an old-fashioned clock except to gain admittance to the Guild and this must therefore be Johann Peter Mayr's masterpiece.   

A very similar masterpiece clock by Johannes Braun was sold Sotheby's, London, 19th December, 2000, Lot 301.

A further example in a fitted altar-form case is illustrated Maurice, Klaus Die Deutsche Raderuhr, Munich 1976, fig. 709