Magnificent Clocks

Jens Villadsen Bundgaard's Clocks

Jens Villadsen Bundgaard was born in Skjoldborg, Thy in 1713 and died 1782 in the courthouse at Frisenborg. Today he ranks among Denmark’s most renowned clockmakers, but even in his own day his skills were already quite extraordinary. Not only did he make clocks of very high quality, having been trained as a cabinetmaker, he would also make the clock case, the ornamentation and the dial himself.

Because he always included his geographical location when he signed his works, it is possible to place the creation of the clocks very accurately in time. Some are signed at Ørum Castle, some at Kiergaardsholm and some at Frisenborg. Since it is known that he resided at Ørum Castle (Gl. Ørumgaard) in Thy in 1759, that he moved to Kiergaardsholm in Salling around 1770 and that he and his family lived at Frisenborg Manor near Århus in 1780, it is possible to determine the approximate age of the clocks.

Most of the charming bracket clocks still in existence today are museum pieces, exhibited for example at The Old Town - National Open Air Museum of Urban History and Culture or at Frederiksborg Castle.

Jens Villadsen Bundgaard’s bracket clock in mahogany case, works with verge escapement, brass and pewter dial and plaquette. Signed Jens Villadsen Bundgaard. Denmark: mid-18th century. Height: 25. Width: 12.5 cm. (Lot 901). Jens Villadsen Bundgaard’s bracket clock in black-painted wood case, silver-plated dial, twenty-four hour works with quarter-stroke, porcelain plaquette, pewter dial. Signed Kiergaardsholm. Denmark: mid-18th century. Height: 32. Width: 16. Depth: 10 cm. (Lot 291)

Other magnificent Clocks

Another remarkable clock included in this auction is the French Rococo travelling clock from the mid-17th century. The case lid, measuring 11 cm. in diameter, is made of silver and profusely engraved with conversing ladies and gentlemen in Rococo attire and interior setting as well as broken rocaille and cogging. The dial denotes hours and minutes in Roman and Arabic numerals. The clock is also fitted with date, alarm function and repetition work. When the case is opened, the gilt works are visible, profusely adorned with stylized foliage. The edge is signed Le Roy Paris. (Lot 894)

The auction includes yet another specimen of outstanding quality – Johann Christoff Kramer’s six-sided Baroque mantel clock from the first half of the 17th century. The case is in gilt bronze and the sides are made of glass, so you can see the gilt works that are profusely engraved with mythological creatures and stylizes foliage. The dial is horizontal and engraved with Roman and Arabic numerals. A heavy bell in the bottom strikes every hour. (Lot 914)