Bracket clock by Vulliamy, London, c. 1818

Dealer description — Howard Walwyn

A rare English Regency period numbered striking mantel clock in original condition by this famous Royal clockmaker. The 8-day duration movement strikes the hours on a single bell. It has a half deadbeat escapement, twin chain fusees, and a steel rod pendulum with a brass bob numbered 728 . The front plate of the movement is stamped T. Gamage and the backplate is signed and numbered Vulliamy London 728 . The 3 ½-inch circular dial is mercury gilt and engine-turned with a snake forming the outer ring. It has Roman hour numerals and very fine heart tipped steel hands. It is signed on the dial Vulliamy London at XII astride the inset regulation arbor. The truss shaped griotte rouge marble case is fixed to its original circular base which is also stamped 728 . The rectangular section of the case has an applied bas-relief of Cupid and Psyche set below two marble volutes each with gilt honeysuckle mounts. A gilt winged eagle sits atop the movement and dial. The inside of the marble drum is also inscribed number 728 in ink. Height : 12 ½ in (31.8 cm) Width : 5 ½ in (14 cm) Depth : 4 ¼ in (10.8 cm) Diameter of base : 8 in (20.3 cm) * This fine mantel clock is special in that it is a fully striking example rather than the more usual library timepiece. The stunning case retains all of its original fire gilt mounts and numbered base and is in griotte rouge marble, not the more usual sombre black marble. Thomas Gamage is recorded as working as a member of the Clockmakers’ Company between 1814 and 1840. In addition to this clock, he made numbers 750, 758, 760, 761, 762 and 769 as recorded in the Vulliamy clock books at the British Horological Institute. Provenance : Purchased from Biggs of Maidenhead, Twyford, October 1976 HW6258