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Philadelphia Automaton Organ Clock

Creator: Augustus P Pfaff
Offered by: Kelly Kinzle Antiques

Description
"Wag on the wall" (uncased, weight-driven mechanical wall clock), organ movement; musical elements attributed to C. Muckle

Automaton organ clocks such as this one were imported by American clockmakers and retailers from Furtwangen, Germany, the heart of the Black Forest clockmaking industry. These novelty clocks were popular in the early decades of the 19th century and in America cases were often made locally to house the works in contrast to the European fashion for hanging them on the wall with the weights and pendulum exposed.

In this clock the automata are the five members of a band who play a variety of horns and wind instruments when the music is playing. The music is recorded on a wooden barrel/cylinder and plays different German folk tunes, each lasting about 40 seconds. The organ mechanism uses bellows to produce the air that flows through the pipes and makes the music.

Augustus Pfaff (1791-1855) was a silversmith and clockmaker in Philadelphia and a member of a family well known for their expertise in making musical instruments.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	United States, Pennsylvania
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Mahogany veneer over oak,
Condition:	Excellent.
Creation Date:	1830
Styles / Movements:	Classical, Folk Art, Americana
Incollect Reference #:	191392

Message from Seller:

Kelly Kinzle grew up helping his parents Dorothy and Donn in their antique and auction business in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. As a young man, he founded his own business and moved to New Oxford, Pennsylvania with his partner Paralee Winstel in 1990. Their business is located in the old bank building on the historic town square. P: 717.495.3395