Clocks, Scientific & Musical Instruments auction highlights

Thursday’s Clocks, Scientific & Musical Instruments auction saw some incredible pieces sold, bidding both in the room and online encouraging some great competition and sending prices climbing. If you were not able to come to the auction in person or watch it live online on the Mctear’s website, here are some of the highlights of the day:

Lot 1136

A LATE 19TH CENTURY CARRIAGE CLOCK

Sold for £460

Est: £70-100

‘Small’ ought not to be mistaken for ‘unassuming’: this beautiful carriage clock fetched over four times its estimate. The delicate, hand-painted decoration and Sevres style panels are enchanting to the eyes, and saw it perform very well at auction.

1143

A KLOZ SCHOOL VIOLIN WITH TWO BOWS

Sold for £1,700

Est: £300-400

Lot 1161

A LATE 18TH CENTURY VIOLIN BY JOHANN GOTTLOB FICKER

Sold for £4,600

Est £3000-4000

These two violins each saw plenty of international interest. Lot 1143, with an intricately carved lion’s-head scroll, was something special to the keen musician and fetched a great price at just under two thousand. The maker of lot 1161 is a prestigious name to the violinist: Johann Gottlob Ficker was the son of a violin maker and became famous for his superior workmanship. The violin sold above estimate, demonstrating the Ficker name’s lasting prestige.

Lot 1160 

A LATE 19TH CENTURY BLACK FOREST CUCKOO CLOCK

Sold for £500

Est 50-80

This charming cuckoo clock was something of a dark horse, making over five times its estimate. Intricately carved and moulded with scrolling foliage, it is a handsome example of the craftsmanship and engineering which goes into clocks of its kind.

Lot 1198

AN IMPRESSIVE EDWARDIAN MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCK BY EDWARD & SONS

Sold for £2,200

Est: £2000-3000

The highest price for clocks for the day went to this rare longcase grandfather clock, making over two thousand on the day. The makers Edward & Sons were of Glasgow’s own, bringing some Scottish interest to the piece. With a gorgeous hand painted lunette, intricate dial detailing and a handsome wooden case of twist columns, it isn’t any wonder that this exquisite clock fetched an appropriate price.