Help Identifying Antique Pendulum Wall Clock - Star of David on Back

[dolley]

I am trying to see if anyone can help me with information regarding my wall clock. It was given to me after someone passed and I do not know anything about it nor was I able to by searching. If anyone has any general or collectable information about this clock I would really appreciate it. Thank you! Photos below.

 

[Steven Thornberry]

It appears to be the trademark of Adolf Stern (registered Dec. 23, 1892), but to tell you more about the clock, we need to see the movement. Stern may have at some point made cases using the movements of, e.g., Carl Werner and HAC, though apparently he may also have made his own movements. So, a look at the movement is necessary to confirm who made what.

 

[dolley]

What is the safest way to gain access to the movement without damaging any fragile internal parts?

 

[Steven Thornberry]

The movement is mounted to a bracket by two thumb screws, which you can see beneath the bracket arms. These will unscrew allowing removal of dial and movement. The dial should be removed by first removing the hands. It may well be attached to posts on the movement by tapered pins. Removing the pins will allow for separation of dial from movement. There may be identifying markings on the movement.

Forgot to mention that Stern was in Vienna from the late 1880's and still active, I think, around 1910.

 

[dolley]

Here is a photo from the back of the movement.

 

[dolley]

Not sure if that tells you anything.

 

[tarant]

Christian Stähle from Schwenningen used this flying barrel. He was probably the retailer, not the producer of the clocks. The complete wiev on the movement and mounting bracket with the gong may be helpful (C. Werner ?).

 

[soaringjoy]

Yes, Christian Stähle was a clockmaker indeed, but mostly used movements produced by others.
The C.S. company (note the initials on the mouting bracket) was in business until about 1904 at the latest
and the shown movement is most probably made by Carl Werner.
The clock is a very nice example of what often happened in the German clock business:
A so called clock factory (Uhrenfabrik) was more or less merely an assembler of third party parts and
in this case, the wholesaler / retailer A. Stern added his own marks for distribution in Austria, as well as the case design.
Clear to see, although three companies are involved by now, we still do not know, which carpentry actually made the
case..., or which foundry cast the movement mounting stool, etc., etc.
The years just after 1900 were "infamous" for that kind of thing, they were times of changes. Similar events happened again
during the late 1920s, early 1930s.

 

[Steven Thornberry]

Yes, Christian Stähle was a clockmaker indeed, but mostly used movements produced by others.
The C.S. company (note the initials on the mouting bracket) was in business until about 1904 at the latest
and the shown movement is most probably made by Carl Werner.
The clock is a very nice example of what often happened in the German clock business:
A so called clock factory (Uhrenfabrik) was more or less merely an assembler of third party parts and
in this case, the wholesaler / retailer A. Stern added his own marks for distribution in Austria, as well as the case design.
Clear to see, although three companies are involved by now, we still do not know, which carpentry actually made the
case..., or which foundry cast the movement mounting stool, etc., etc.
The years just after 1900 were "infamous" for that kind of thing, they were times of changes. Similar events happened again
during the late 1920s, early 1930s.

Interesting glimpse into the workings of the clock trade in early 20th century Germany/Austria. I suspect this kind of thing also went on in America much more than we can imagine from what we see on the Message Board.

 

[dolley]

I will see about getting some more photos of any more markings I can find. Does anyone know if these things are desirable among collectors? Like I mentioned, I don't know much about clocks except how to tell time but I knew this clock was unique and needed some looking into. Thank you guys for all your help - way better than Google. You guys knows your stuff.

 

[Steven Thornberry]

Maybe this is a consideration to take into account. We know that the Stähle factory made their own movements and was not a retailer or wholesaler. However, the Stähle factory burned down completely in 1891 and was closed until 1893. Although Stähle reopened, they eventually went into bankruptcy in 1895. Perhaps we should assume that after the fire in 1893 and before the bankruptcy of 1895, Stähle purchased movements from others in order not to lose customers.

 

[tarant]

According to the "Lexikon der Deutsche Uhrenindustrie" his manufactory was active untill 1904.
Here's an interesting "regulateur" with the Belgian bill/warranty card from the year 1894. SN is 10770. If they were stamped in any order and this bill is original our title clock is much younger.

 

[Albra]

According to the "Lexikon der Deutsche Uhrenindustrie" his manufactory was active untill 1904.
Here's an interesting "regulateur" with the Belgian bill/warranty card from the year 1894. SN is 10770. If they were stamped in any order and this bill is original our title clock is much younger.

Piotr, a very interesting Stähle clock! Thank´s for sharing!

albra