EMPIRE CLOCK

SWEDISH C. 1790

GILTWOOD

SIGNED: NILS BERG, STOCKHOLM

(Appointed Master in Stockholm in 1751)

NILS BERG (1721-1794) WAS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED AND OUTSTANDING CLOCKMAKERS IN SWEDEN DURING THE 18TH CENTURY. HE BECAME A MASTER CLOCKMAKER BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT IN STOCKHOLM IN 1751. HIS LONG CAREER STRETCHED FROM THE ROCOCO PERIOD RIGHT THROUGH TO THE LATE GUSTAVIAN PERIOD. HE SPECIALISED IN BOTH GRANDFATHER CLOCKS AND GILTWOOD WALL CLOCKS.

IN THE BOOK 'CLOCKS AND CLOCKMASTERS OF SWEDEN AND FINLAND,' IT STATES THAT HE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE WORKED IN ENGLAND, AS ASPECTS OF THE MECHANISMS INSIDE THE CLOCKS SHOW A STRONG ENGLISH INFLUENCE. BY 1780, HE HAD SEVEN APPRENTICES WORKING FOR HIM.

HE IS REPRESENTED IN THE SWEDISH ROYAL COLLECTIONS, IN THE NORDISKA MUSEUM, THE STOCKHOLM CITY MUSEUM AND THE TIME MUSEUM, ILLINOIS, USA. HIS CLOCKS ARE ALSO FOUND IN MANY SWEDISH COUNTRY HOUSES.

LITERATURE: CLOCKS AND CLOCKMAKERS OF SWEDEN AND FINLAND (URMAKARE OCH KLOCKOR I SVERIGE & FINLAND)

35¾" X 23 ¾" / 91 cm x 60 cm

Stock no. HG 6876