18th Century Dutch Amsterdam Longcase Clock

Royal Antique is proud to present this impressive Dutch longcase clock, a remarkable specimen of 18th-century horological ingenuity and craftsmanship. Signed "F. VAN CEULEN UTRECHT" on the chapter ring, this piece testifies to the technical mastery and opulence of Dutch productions of the era.

Case and Sculptural Ornamentation:

• Burr Walnut Case: The case is superbly veneered with burr walnut over an oak carcass, offering a rich texture and captivating grain patterns. Its majestic silhouette is crowned by a broken arch top pediment, adorned with very fine elaborate fretwork functioning as sound frets, as well as a prominent asymmetrically carved ornament.

• Allegorical Statuettes: The clock is surmounted by three very fine gilt wooden statuettes: a Chronos figure (time) in the center, flanked by two Mars figures (war), symbolizing the relationship between time, power, and the country's prosperity.

• Decorated Door and Lenticle: The shaped door in the trunk is embellished by rosewood inlays and has a lenticle with a classic brass surround in the shape of the goddess Europa on her bull, through which the hypnotic movement of the pendulum can be seen.

• Robust Base: The impressive base is fortified by buttress-like corners and rests on ball feet, ensuring stability and an imposing presence.

Dial of Exceptional Complexity:

• Arched Brass Dial and Silvered Chapter Ring: The superb arched brass dial has a silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring.

• Comprehensive Indications: A subsidiary seconds ring is located above the middle, and a date aperture is above the VI. To the left and right of the middle are a month aperture showing the month, a symbolic representation of the month, and the number of days in the month, as well as a day aperture showing the day of the week and a symbolic representation of the day.

• Moon Phases and Amsterdam High Water: The phases of the moon are shown in the arch, as well as the time of high water in Amsterdam, a crucial function for 18th-century tradesmen.

• Hands and Spandrels: The time is indicated by a pair of blued steel hands on the silvered chapter ring, which is surrounded by gilt cast brass spandrels in the corners depicting the four seasons.

High-Precision Movement and Advanced Functions:

• Weight-Driven Eight-Day Movement: The weight-driven eight-day movement consists of going and striking trains, as well as an alarm. The going train has anchor escapement and a seconds pendulum.

• Quarter Striking and Repeat Function: The quarter striking train indicates the hours and half-hours fully on two bells differing in pitch (Dutch striking) and the quarters with one stroke. It is regulated by a rack mechanism and can be repeated at will by pulling a cord behind the door.

  
  

• Weight-Driven Alarm: The weight-driven alarm is set by a silvered disc behind the hands, with the tail of the hour hand indicating the setting.

• Multiple Functions: The clock features functions such as seconds, minutes, hours, month, day and night indicator, and an alarm function. It beats the flaps every 15 minutes, and has an 8-day power reserve.

• Symbol of Prosperity: The continuous running train for 8 days represents the prosperity of the Netherlands during this period.

This Dutch longcase clock is not merely a time-measuring instrument but a horological encyclopedia and a first-rate art object. Its remarkable condition and complexity make it an exceptional addition and an invaluable collector's item for any connoisseur of 18th-century European horology and decorative arts.