Blackamoor Figural Automaton Timepiece

The brass movement has a passing strike at the half hour and full strike at the hour. The gilt-brass figure is in the form of a blackamoor standing by a pole which supports a time globe. The figure holds a pointer that indicates the time. His head turns as the hour is struck. A dog is seated at his feet. The base is decorated with leaf sprays and strapwork and is raised on animal feet.

The more complex the mechanism and the more automata, the more interesting these clocks were. This piece incorporates not only striking on the hour, but a passing strike on the half-hour. The movement of the blackamoor’s head timed to the strike of the hour exhibits a finer, more complex mechanism than was customary for this time.