Astronomical Longcase Clock with Day, Month, Date and Moon Phase Indication

A fine and unusual Dutch Baroque longcase clock with full astronomical calendar and rare painted ships automaton (scheepjes) mechanism, the movement signed Johan Smit Amsterdam. Amsterdam, 18th century.

Case:
Rectangular longcase clock in walnut, inlaid with light and dark stringing and carved with rocailles and a flower basket. Architectural hood with partially glazed sides and three gilt finial figures. Bombé base on claw feet – a characteristic feature of Amsterdam high Baroque production.

Dial & Movement:
Silvered and engraved chapter ring with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals. Centre seconds hand with apertures for month, day and moon phase. The movement signed and inscribed Johan Smit Amsterdam. The dial is painted as a theatrical backdrop depicting a Dutch bay with sailing ships (scheepjes) that rock in time with the escapement – a technically accomplished and decoratively distinctive feature of high-end Amsterdam clockmaking of the 18th century. Quarter-hour strike on one bell; hour and half-hour strike on two bells. Brass weights. The movement is in running order.

Dimensions: 73 × 37 × 296 cm

Comparative examples:
A closely related example with a similar case is preserved in the Musée David et Alice Van Buuren, Uccle, Belgium (Inv. 11015189), where the dial is signed by the clockmaker Johannes du Chesne and dated to circa 1730–1750. A further longcase clock of nearly identical case form and bearing the same signature was offered on the French art market in 2013 (Vente aux enchères à Cheverny, Lot 106).

Literature & references:
Jaap Zeeman, De Nederlandse staande klok, Waanders, Zwolle 1996
Dutch Striking Burl Walnut Tall Case Clock by Jonah Smith, M.S. Rau Antiques, New Orleans – video documentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Ni5MY6WrE