Austrian Oil Painting/Clock, ca 1820.

Austrian Oil Painting/Clock, ca 1820. The painting was done by L. C. Hofmeister, Vienna, Austria. There is a hand written history on the back of the case naming the clock maker as well as the original owner. The history is written on the right side of the wood case. There is no "backboard" as you would normally see over a clock movement, but no doubt there was at one time. The consignor, an eastern collector and dealer, bought the painting for $2500 in 1982. The principal US owner was the master clockmaker and collector, G. F. Henry Schottler, New York City. The clock mechanism was serviced in 1936 and again in 1944. The painting was professionally cleaned in 1937 and again in 1993. The painting is in excellent condition, has no tears or damage. The clock is wound by pulling three cords on the sides of the case. One winds the clock movement, another winds the quarter chime, and the third winds the hour strike. The gilded picture frame is not museum quality but makes a good appearance when hanging on the wall. It is 34" wide and 27" tall. The scene is a monastery with a clock tower onto which a small porcelain dial is attached. The clock runs properly, and the hands operate properly. The clock strikes one time on the first quarter, twice on the half hour, three times on the third quarter, and four times on the hour, followed by the Grand Sonnerie strike on the hour. Personally, I would not wind the movement but hang the item as a fine painting, for the simple reason the original wood rollers and other old original parts, now almost 200 years old, will eventually begin to cause problems. As it is right now it is a fine, restored, clock/painting.