A late 19th century Austrian 950 standard silver gilt and enamel timepiece or clock, Vienna circa 1880 by Hermann Ratzersdorfer (1845 - 1894)

Of arched rectangular form upon a stepped base with scroll bracket feet, the corners formed as pilasters surmounted by mythical creatures. The top surmounted by a figure of a boy with a straw hat by his side. The front with a painted enamel scene of classically dressed maidens sat between a putto below the glazed dial, the top with Mercury and Roma. The back with a painted scene of Mercury with maidens and discard weapons of war, the sides with painted figures. THe white enamel dial with a painted centre of Venus and Apollo, with Roman numerals. Marked underneath with maker’s mark HR and assay mark.

Height – 12.9 cm / 5.15 inches