Dent, 33 Cockspur St. London. SOLD

Clockmaker: Dent, London

SOLD

A fine and rare chronometer carriage timepiece. circa 1850

Dial

The 3-inch enamel dial with Roman numerals, sunken subsidiary seconds dial and sunken state of wind subsidiary dial, set within a superb gilt engine-turned mask with oval cartouche signed DENT Watchmaker to the Queen 33 Cockspur St. London. Open spade blued steel hands.

Case

The case with original gilding has cruciform corner pillars and ball finials with cruciform handle, dust shutters to the glazed back door, bevelled glass to the sides and top.

Movement

Substantial spotted movement with four gilt pillars to the single train fusee and chain movement. and maintaining power. The deeply planted gilt platform with Earnshaw's spring detent escapement and bi metal compensated balance with helical balance spring. Gilt ratchet, click and case brackets to the backplate.

Date circa 1850

Height 8 1/2 inches (21.5 cm)

Edward John Dent (1790-1853) went into partnership with John Roger Arnold at 84 Strand. In 1840 he set up on his own at 64 Strand and also at 28 and 33 Cockspur Street. He was granted the Royal Warrant as Chronometer Maker to the Queen in 1841. In 1852 Dent won the commission to make the great clock for the Houses of Parliament at Westminster but died in 1853 before it was completed.