An impressive burl walnut Dutch bombé base antique tall case clock with harbor automation, alarm and complications by J. M. Heyer, Amsterdam Holland, circa 1785.

The dramatic full size case of this antique Dutch grandfather clock is highly ornamented including choice burl veneers and a full bombé base with serpentine sides and fronts. The raised pagoda top has gilt rococo finials and blind fretwork above a tympanum with shaped molding centering a raised cartouche. The tombstone-form dial door is framed with turned colonnettes with brass capitals and bases. This door opens to an elaborate engraved brass dial with silvered chapter ring and subsidiary dials. The arch of the dial is fitted with an extraordinary hand painted animated harbor scene with rocking ships, mermaids and a detailed harbor view in the background. The dial is fitted with a number of complications including a moon phase and age dial, month and day indicators, date window and a second’s bit. The brass eight-day movement has a Dutch strike train which chimes at each quarter hour on two bells. The dial is signed with the maker’s name and locale at the base of the chapter ring “J.M. Heyer, Amsterdam”. The shaped pendulum door has a molded border and an oculus set with an ormolu frame. The clock has a full bombé serpentine base above paw for feet.

Dimensions:
Height with center finial: 108”; Width 26”; Depth 12 ¼”