Fabulous Renaissance Museum Quality Book Shaped Clock

Fabulous Renaissance Museum Quality Book Shaped Clock Verge By Hans Schnier Of Speyre 1583
 
This is an extremely rare German book clock manufactured by Hans Schnier of Speyre, dated 1583.
This timepiece represents one of the most impressive and fine craftsmanship of the 16th century.
The movement with brass plates represents one of the earliest examples ever used of a fusee system in a mantle clock, manufactured just a few years after the fusee was used by Jacob Zech in 1525.
The entire wheel train is handmade out of steel, the clock strikes every hour on a bell and, in addition, a functional alarm train.
Back in the days when this clock was manufactured, an essential feature of the movement for the maker to be accepted in the guild was the 24-hour count wheel strike. This particular function allowed the user to switch the 12-hour count wheel system to the 24-hour strike system by switching the position of a lever. This count wheel was probably so rudimental and never worked properly, that's why somewhere during the history of the clock, a previous repairer decided to remove this feature.
The gilded brass dial is fully engraved with floral and romantic motifs.
The centre of the dial carries three different sets of chapter rings, the first chapter ring shows 24 hours, the second one shows the classic 12 hours time and the third one, by turning it clockwise, allows the user to set the alarm.
The movement is beautifully surrounded by gilded brass and an engraved case. The gilding on the case appears to be newer, which might indicate that the case has been re-gilded at some point in its history. The design of the case, as well as the design of the movement, represents an exquisite Renaissance style, the corners of the case are beautifully decorated with gilded brass grotesque masks. The shape of the case is designed to look like a book, which can easily be hidden on a shelf. The book can be closed and opened by accessing the two clasps on the side. Each side of the book is pierced in the centre with a rosette, and the front rosette is depicting running animals, superbly chased. The book's spine is engraved "Hans Schnier in Speyre, Opera, 1583", and the initials "HS" in a roundel, either side of the city arms.
The back plate of the movement is designed in a classic Renaissance style, all the levers and the wheels have been beautifully shaped and engraved in order to achieve an appealing construction.
This magnificent clock was part of the Percy Webster collection. This clock was previously sold at the famous auction on the 27th of May 1954 at Sotheby's, and the original pictures can be found in the catalogue.
PLEASE NOTE THIS CLOCK IS A MUSEUM PIECE, AND THE TIMEKEEPING IS NOT ACCURATE, AND ALSO, IT IS NOT MEANT FOR EVERYDAY USE!