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ROBERT PRENZEL (1866-1941)
A RARE AND IMPORTANT BLACKWOOD LONG CASE CLOCK
Stamped R. Prenzel, circa 1920
The stepped rectangular hood surmounted by an arched pediment, enclosing a German weight driven movement with a circular Arabic numeral dial, the body inset with a Eucalypt panel carved in high relief with a Eucalyptus branch, gum nuts and leaves on a stippled ground, above a glazed and solid panelled casement door, stamped to the inside upper right hand corner of the casement door, raised on a stepped plinth base, the clock 202 cm high; the panel 26 x 26 cm.
Provenance: Mr and Mrs Richard Prideaux Thomas, Melbourne
1967-2008 the late Ms Helen Brookes, Adelaide, thence by family descent
History: According to correspondence from Ms Helen Brookes held in the Robert Prenzel archive in the collections of the National Gallery of Victoria, the long case clock was originally owned by her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Richard Prideaux Thomas, of Caulfield, Melbourne. While difficult to ascertain its exact year of manufacture, Ms Brookes was of the belief that the clock was acquired by Mr and Mrs Thomas at around the time of their marriage in 1923, together with a dining suite, also in Blackwood but apparently without carved decoration.
While the Prenzel archive contains no apparent direct reference to the present clock, only three other examples of Prenzel long case clocks appear in the archive, indicating that there are likely to be very few clocks of this type in existence.
Unsold
Lot 145
A RARE AND IMPORTANT BLACKWOOD LONG CASE CLOCK
Stamped R. Prenzel, circa 1920
The stepped rectangular hood surmounted by an arched pediment, enclosing a German weight driven movement with a circular Arabic numeral dial, the body inset with a Eucalypt panel carved in high relief with a Eucalyptus branch, gum nuts and leaves on a stippled ground, above a glazed and solid panelled casement door, stamped to the inside upper right hand corner of the casement door, raised on a stepped plinth base, the clock 202 cm high; the panel 26 x 26 cm.
Provenance: Mr and Mrs Richard Prideaux Thomas, Melbourne
1967-2008 the late Ms Helen Brookes, Adelaide, thence by family descent
History: According to correspondence from Ms Helen Brookes held in the Robert Prenzel archive in the collections of the National Gallery of Victoria, the long case clock was originally owned by her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Richard Prideaux Thomas, of Caulfield, Melbourne. While difficult to ascertain its exact year of manufacture, Ms Brookes was of the belief that the clock was acquired by Mr and Mrs Thomas at around the time of their marriage in 1923, together with a dining suite, also in Blackwood but apparently without carved decoration.
While the Prenzel archive contains no apparent direct reference to the present clock, only three other examples of Prenzel long case clocks appear in the archive, indicating that there are likely to be very few clocks of this type in existence.
Estimate $18,000 - $25,000
Dec Arts Sunday Sale
AUCTION
Sale: LJ5516
12:00pm - 5 June 2011
333 Malvern Rd, South Yarra 3141
VIEWING
CONTACT
Reception
info@leonardjoel.com.au
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