Black Forest clock hunted down

This ‘Black Forest’ type clock on the theme of hunting is signed by Swiss master carver Johann Huggler of Brienz (1834-1912).

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Terence Ryle

‘Black Forest’ type clock on the theme of hunting signed by Swiss master carver Johann Huggler of Brienz, sold for £7600 at W&H Peacock.

Standing 3ft 2in (94cm) high, it is carved with a hunter holding a rifle with a buck over his shoulder and a hare, beaver and three partridges emerging from the stump and roots below. It houses a typical late 19th century French striking movement by Japy Frères.

The clock came for sale at W&H Peacock (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Bedford on January 3 from a vendor whose family has owned it since 1939. Estimated at £3000-5000, it took £7600.

Huggler was ranked the ‘King of Carvers’ among the estimated 1300 artisans who plied their trade in Brienz at the turn of the 20th century. By tradition, these figures of young huntsmen that appear in a number of similar works are self-portraits by Huggler, who was well known as a poacher in the region. Only a small portion of his work is signed.