Hello Anne,
Thank you for sending in this miniature wall clock to mearto.com for an appraisal. I shall try to help you with that today.
TITLE:
Dore bronze (gilt spelter) and enameled porcelain, miniaturized, novelty mantel and wall clock (in one item), made in Germany by several companies but the form is attributed to the Wintermantel Gebreuder, Triberg, Black Forest region of Germany, made circa third quarter of the 20th century.
DESCRIPTION:
This is thought to be a miniaturized novelty timepiece originally conceived by Eugen and Otto Wintermantel, clockmaking brothers living in the Black forest town of Triberg.
The cast gilt base metal (spelter) frame is a retro concept looking back to the years of the Art Nouveau era of c. 1880-1910 when case designs reflected the new interest in natural forms, both flora and fauna. This particular novelty piece has an open Dore bronze framework in a foliate design with gilt foliage and a rosette sitting at the apex of the frame while acanthus leaves, ‘C’ scrolls and pinwheel ornamentation flows fully around the entire frame. The upper section of the casing has a beaded gilt bezel enclosing this enameled porcelain dial painted with polychrome colored leaves, vines and flowers surrounding the smaller Arabic hour chapter with a closed minute ring. There is a single winding aperture over the six for this spring driven movement and there are American style gilt Spade hands. The bottom of the dial is marked Germany. The case can be hung on a wall with a hanger at the back of the canister or sat on a mantel since the base has gilt- spelter foliate feet. I believe the diameter of the dial used is approximately 2 3/8". There are two sets of chains and two faux weights which are all ornamental since the clock is driven by a single spring and is of either 30 hour or of eight-day (most likely) duration. The movement is hidden and contained within a canister which has a round metal back cover marked 'Germany'. I cannot see the movement which is hidden by this dust cover, but examples will have the logo of Wintermantel which was a ‘W inside half of a clock gear. In addition, the name Wintermantel Gebreuder is usually found on the original examples (this type of clock was copied in large numbers by other German makers in the 1970s and 1980’s since they were essentially made for the tourist trade in the Black Forest). The movement is a simple tic-tac escapement with short pendulum rod and attached bob powered by a single spring.
The vintage examples from the 1930’s era were 30-hour movements while most examples seen today are eight-day movements made since 1954. Later in the 20th century, after the Wintermantel brothers retired these examples were reproduced as eight-day timepieces which were wound once weekly.
The condition of this clock is excellent. The wear on the gilt paint on the metal case is apparent and the wear on the metal canister cover is apparent. The movement is considered functional.
HISTORY:
The Wintermantel Brothers established their operation in Triberg, Germany and specialized in manufacturing petit one day mantel and wall hung clocks (miniatures) from the outset of the business in 1925. They manufactured these small 30 hour timepieces from 1925 until 1935 when the early effects of World War II interrupted the operation. They resumed production again in 1954 under the direction of brothers, Otto and Eugen. They retired in 1986 and deeded the factory as a foundation for handicapped people who went on to replicate these same miniature clocks for the tourist trade and they were highly popular, but were all made as eight-day timepieces. The later reproductions tend to sell in the $100-$135 retail category and can be found for sale on E-Bay for about half that amount or less.
COMPARABLES:
~https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/listing/710319602/vintage-german-wintermantel-pendulette (offered for $155 on Etsy)
~https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/16430021-enamelled-mini-mini-wall-clock-wintermantel-germany-c-1955 (sold at auction for $124)
~https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-272613/antique-german-enameled-miniature-clock-wintermantel.html (sold for $31)
https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-2149148/vintage-wintermantel-clock-gilded-metal-key-ornate-germany-handpainted-enamel.html (your model sold for $57)
https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-1937976/vintage-wintermantel-limited-edition-miniature-8-day-german-wall-clock-1976.html (this example is signed and dated 1976, sold for $20)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10871983_286-germany-enamel-floral-pendulette-clock (sold at auction for $80 about six years ago.)
I believe your example is from the third quarter of the 20th century and considered vintage rather than antique. The fair market value would be in the range of $50-$80. Retail prices would be about 2-2.5 times that amount.
I hope this has been of some help to your understanding of this little novelty timepiece and its history.
My best,
David