Unique North German carriage clock with hourly self-striking mechanism, attributed to Michael Pfündler, Schleswig, c. 1670

292-4310  Unique North German carriage clock with hourly self-striking mechanism, attributed to Michael Pfündler, Schleswig, c. 1670

Ca. Ø11cm, ca. 1220g, silver, outstanding case quality, case with extremely elaborate pierced design, hinged lid, depictions of people and mythical creatures, scene engraved on the reverse with an astronomical/astrological motif, depictions on the sides on the themes of philosophy, poetry, geography and geometry; case with bell; early verge movement with hourly self-striking mechanism; mainplate signed ‘Michael(l) Pfaundler’ (one of the known signatures of the German watchmaker Michael Pfündler from Schleswig); off-centre dial with an engraved rural scene inside and further engravings on the theme of astrology, original iron hands, very good condition, presumed original silver key, a museum-quality rarity. We are not aware of any other carriage clock with a comparable case. Information on the clockmaker: Pfündler, first name Michael (Pfaundler, Pfreundler) from Schleswig, originally from Innsbruck, took part in the Gottorf expedition to Moscow and Isfahan in 1635. Duke Frederick III of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf also sought to find a trade route to Russia and Persia that did not go round Africa. For this reason, on 6 November 1633, he dispatched an expedition from Hamburg to Moscow. It was led by the merchant Otto Brüggemann and the ducal councillor Philipp Crusius. Adam Olearius served as secretary to the expedition, which comprised 34 people. The delegation arrived in Moscow on 14 August 1634. Although they were unable to conclude a trade agreement with Tsar Michael I, preparations for the next expedition began immediately upon the delegation’s return to Gottorf Castle on 6 April 1635. This expedition was to take them to the Persian court in Isfahan. Michael Pfündler was responsible for overseeing the expedition in his capacity as a watchmaker. Extensive details about the watchmaker and the watch in question can be found here: (https://www.cortrie.de/go/Q4M).