The remnants of a fine and rare German Renaissance small gilt brass steel-framed table clock Initialled D.M. and D. H., third quarter of the 16th century The posted movement lacking all wheelwork but retaining front and back pivot plates (the centre lacking), set between steel top and bottom plates with square section uprights incorporating finely worked capitals and bases to angles, the dial plate engraved with winged cherub mask upper spandrel ornaments above vacant section for the hour and alarm dials (lacking) and dial for age of the moon over scene engraved after Heinrich Aldegrever with the creation of Eve and the angles applied with fine crisply chiselled fluted square pilaster uprights incorporating integral plinths and moulded capitals, the right hand side with panel engraved with armorial crest within a laurel wreath for a German aristocratic family over scene of the temptation of Adam and Eve, the left hand side with sacred Hebrew YHVH text for God over a temple with architectural alcove flanked by a column surmounted by a putto opposing an obelisk incorporating the initials DM to base, the lower margin with Ouroborus snake flanked by the initials D and H over scroll-crested panel engraved SVMM SALVS PVRO, VENERARI PECTORE, MEN HO CHRISTVM . ET GERNORE., BONVM ERE INCOLVMINO, the rear further engraved after Aldergrever with Adam and Eve toiling over hour strike dial and scene of the expulsion from paradise and with further conforming pilasters to angles, the gilt brass case top plate applied with vase finials to angles around a curved bellstand with conforming surmount, on stepped baseplate with moulded bun feet, (probably originally constructed with fixed spring-barrel drive), 14.5cm (5.75ins) high. Provenance: Sold at Sotheby's, London, 22nd May 1967 (lot 124) for £420 hammer.The exterior of the current lot incorporates four engraved scenes based on versions selected from a series of six entitled 'The Story of Adam and Eve' executed in around 1645 by Heinrich Aldegrever (German, in born Paderborn circa 1502, worked in Soest from circa 1525 until 1558/61). The quality of the engraving is particularly fine, this coupled with the very detailed crisp rendering of the corner columns and the overall architectonic structure of the clock is reminiscent of clocks made in Strasbourg (see Cardinal, Catherine and Vingtain, Dominique TRESORS d'HORLOGERIE page 68) or perhaps Innsbruck. Although it would appear that the current lot was weight-driven prior to the removal of the wheel trains it is most likely that it was originally constructed with direct spring (non-fusee) drive perhaps fixed 'standing' barrels and possibly with stackfreed to the going train. When sold at Sotheby's in 1967 the movement was largely intact although converted to pendulum regulation and with a later silver chapter ring. It would appear that the clock has subsequently been dismantled for restoration, possibly with the intention to restore to spring drive, but for some reason the work has not been completed and the trains regrettably lost. The clock does however present as an extremely interesting example with very fine engraving and as of yet unidentified 'noble' provenance hence would warrant reinstatement of the trains or could be appreciated as is for its significant academic and decorative qualities.