The ensemble is one of four sets of this clock model that can be traced back to the Dresden court in the 18th century. The quartet was purchased in 1768 from the estate of Count Brühl and was divided into two pairs, which differed in terms of their marquetry, with one pair having a tortoiseshell background (première partie) and the other pair having a brass background (contre partie). The pair in première partie has survived to this day and is represented here by the ensemble, in which a signature by Latz was found during restoration work in 2018 and 2019. The following information is handwritten on paper in the double bottom of the pendulum clock: ‘Made in Paris by Mr Latz, cabinetmaker to King Frederick Augustus, Elector of Saxony ... 1739’. Latz thus provides proof that he worked directly for the Dresden court, which until this discovery could only be assumed.
The tortoiseshell has a brownish hue, which contrasts elegantly with the deep black ebony fillets framing the pedestal. A special feature of the marquetry in première partie are the contrasting, drop-shaped inlays of mother-of-pearl and green-backed horn in the spandrels of the marquetry panels surrounding the rosette mount. The condition of the marquetry is remarkable. The ensemble has been under conservation treatment only a few times in the course of its more than 280-year history. These treatments mostly consisted of sanding down the brass corrosion. If this is done too often, the engravings that are so important to the appearance of the objects are fading. On this ensemble, the engravings have been preserved with impressive freshness and vitality.
Object information
Construction: oak, walnut (pendulums), softwood (pedestals)
Marquetry: tortoiseshell, brass, ebony, ebonised hardwood, mother-of-pearl (pedestals), horn (coloured backing, pedestals)
Mounts: brass, fire-gilded
Dial cartouches: enamel
Front door: glass
Dimensions: H: 286.5 x W: 74 x D: 43 cm
Kunstgewerbemuseum: Inv. No. 37627-1 + 37780-2