Johan Kâsseborer

Johan Kâsseborer, Ulm, circa 1650. I Rare square table clock with hour striking and alarm. GiIt bronze with concave mouldings engraved with summer flowers on the top border. Glazed sides and hinged baseplate, similarly engraved on the interior, with cast auricular scrollwork feet, the bell retained by a strap. Silver chapter-ring with engraved Roman numerals. Concentric gilt brass alarm ring. FIorally embossed silver spandrels. Original blued steel beetle hour hand. Minute hand added. Square gilt brass with square baluster pillars, ratchet wheel set-up and steel end piece, fusee with chain. Verge escapement with Iater plain giIt brass three armed balance, spring and regulator. English type cock with pierced and engraved Iater steel end piece. Foliate pierced and engraved gate with similarly engraved and gilt countwheel on the back plate. Stop-wheel replaced. Engraved strike and alarm hammers. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. Dim. 12.8 x 9.7 cm. Notes This clock was converted to balance spring from bristle regulator and minute hand added in the early eighteenth century. This improvement was well carried out with minimum disturbance of the movement. It is interesting to point out that the replacement balance fitted at the time, was made from the back plate of an oignon watch, and still bears the signature "J.F. Dreuz à Paris. A fine astronomical masterpiece clock by the same maker, is in the Time Museum, Rockford, Illinois.