A German gilt metal mounted walnut 'swinging cherub' mantel timepiece Lenzkirch, Germany, circa 1905 The small single train going barrel movement with inverted wheel train regulated by upside-down anchor escapement connected via a brass wire cranked armature to the back-and-forth swinging pendulum pivoted beneath the movement, the backplate stamped with Lenzkirch A.U.G., 1 Million trademark over serial number 13463, the silvered Arabic numeral dial decorated with a rosette to centre and with cartouche numerals within applied gilt bezel, the case of architectural form with concave-sided pediment surmounted by a vase finial and applied with foliate cast panel mount to front over ogee cornice and gilt stud decorated shaped panel around dial, the base with baluster-turned columns flanking recess enclosing the pendulum the with bob cast as a child on a swing fronting foliate gilt surround decorated back panel flanked by incised scroll-shaped side projections capped with gilt finials, on ogee- moulded plinth base with curved side sections and disc feet, 43cm (17ins) high. The Lenzkirch clock factory was founded in 1849 by clockmaker Eduard Hauser and organ maker Ignaz Schpperle who decided to make clock movements and parts of the highest quality using line production in order supply individual clockmakers for finishing and casing. Within a few years the factory was producing complete clocks, however towards the end of the century the business went into decline due to failure in keeping up with new production techniques. This resulted in the firm being sold to the Junghans brothers who continued it as an off-shoot until its final closure in 1932