Samuel Berckmann, Augsburg, ca. 1670
Hour chime and alarum
decagonal casing of bronze, fire gilt
spring with chain and fusee
hands of blued steel
height 12 cm, diameter 14 cm
enamel chapter ring, diameter 9.5 cm, width 2 1 cm
alarum disc, gilt, diameter 5.2 cm
Inv. 1983.1154.
Samuel Berckmann, born in Reichenstein in Silesia, was granted the right to practise as a smith in Augsburg in 1667. Many of his decagonal clocks are extant. The engraved signature, "Samuel / Berckmann / Augusta", is situated on the lower inside of the back plate. The engraved and punched case rests on four turned feet, between which hang circular stabilisers. Each side allows a view through small apertures on to the mechanism which is mounted on spiral pillars. On the chapter ring the full hours are indicated with Roman numerals (I-XII) and there are pointers also for the half and quarter hours (innermost). The alarum disc has Arabic numerals (1-12); the bell is mounted on the bottom of the casing.
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