Antique Gustav Becker Vienna Regulator Wall Clock With Ornate Wood Case
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:124726 |
Antique Genuine Gustav Becker Vienna Regulator Wall Clock with Ornate Wood Case. Dial is marked GB. The wood frame measures about 51" high with top bonnet in place; 18 1/4" wide and 7 1/2" deep - it is a large impressive clock. The bezel is 7 1/4" wide and dial is 6 1/4" across. Missing pendulum, some edge veneer flaking, bottom finial tip has small chip. Otherwise movement springs feel fine, all glass in fine intact and comes with key. My 12 photos should give you a decent appraisal. ...Please if possible I would much prefer to have this clock picked up in person, we are located just south of Boston MA. If shipping is required it will need a huge box with lots of cushion, top bonnet comes off to save a bit on size. A magnificent genuine Gustav Becker regulator. The door is 25 7/8" long and almost 15" wide with the trim. The glass window is 7 1/4" x 24". I have added "local pickup" as an option.Gustav Becker Clock Company HistoryOne of the better quality/best-known German clockmakers from the mid to late 19th century was Gustav Becker. Born in 1819, Becker trained as a clockmaker in Germany and Austria. In 1850 he opened workshops in Freiburg, Silesia, Germany in 1850. Initially, Becker struggled with untrained help, but won the "Medaille d’Or" for design at the 1852 Silesia Trade Exposition. Becker incorporated that first medal and his initials, G.B., into his trademark and, as you will see below, into many components of his clocks, from movement mounts to wall standoffs to beatplates and pulleys.This award gave him the recognition that he needed to attract skilled craftsmen to his workshops. Numerous awards and certificates followed, from trade expos as far-flung as Australia and as close to home as Vienna. He was very adept at leveraging this new-found notoriety to the benefit of his business enterprise.After the introduction of the spring driven mechanism, a whole new variety of clocks was made possible. The Becker workshops at their height produced more than 400 varieties of clocks. The cases of these clocks reflect the furniture trends of the day and range from very simple to elaborately ornate. The casework is extraordinarily well done and often incorporates hand carving. Germany has never lacked for skilled carvers and the talent of the region’s artisans is evidenced in the Becker clock cases.Gustav Becker clocks are known for their quality workmanship and the Becker name on a clock will make it more valuable than lesser-known maker’s clocks of similar quality. Although Gustav Becker only lived until 1885, clocks bore his trademark until 1935. The Junghans Company absorbed Becker, Lenzkirch, Hamburg American, etc. into a clock company that continues in business to this day.
