An impressive Italian Baroque style architecture clock

 16.000,00

An imposing Roman clock within a large Baroque architecture in ebonized wood and gilded bronzes. Dated 1758, Peter Lo Beptter. The elaborate domed case surmounted by a putto with sickle and ouroboros over canted front angles on carved scroll feet mounted all over with pierced and engraved gilt brass strapwork.

pamono

1 in stock

SKU: A6038 Category: Tag:

Symbolism: the Ouroboros

The ouroboros or uroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent eating its own tail. Originating in ancient Egyptian iconography, the ouroboros entered Western tradition via Greek magical tradition and was adopted as a symbol in Gnosticism and Hermeticism and most notably in alchemy.
The term derives from Ancient Greek οὐροβόρος, from οὐρά oura ‘tail’ plus -βορός -boros ‘-eating’.The ouroboros is often interpreted as a symbol for eternal cyclic renewal or a cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

In the case of our clock, the Ouroboros contrasts the scythe, which stands for relentless impermanence and death.

Baroque mid-18th century Italian clock
Baroque mid-18th century Italian clock

The mask

The arched brass dial with boldly carved man mask (typical of both dramas and comedies of the ancient theatre) over an applied cartouche with the Latin inscription “Volat Irrevocabile Tempus et Dies tuos Dinumerat“.

The Latin inscription

The Latin inscription “Volat Irrevocabile Tempus et Dies tuos Dinumerat” translates as “Time flies irrevocably and counts your days.”

The clock

Below the cartouche, you see a nice silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring, a matted centre with pendulum aperture, ringed winding holes and alarm-setting disc, and elaborate pierced silvered hands.

The clock has a large rectangular movement united by four pinned vase-shaped pillars, with pivotted verge escapement and short bob pendulum, striking the hours and the quarters on two bells and hammers.

Baroque mid-18th century Italian clock
Baroque mid-18th century Italian clock
Dimensions 64 × 35 × 80 cm
Artist

Peter Le Beptter

Country

Italy

Period

18th Century

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