Dwerrihouse & Carter, London.

SOLD

Distinctive, English Regency bracket clock in the Egyptian style. The fine mahogany case is surmounted by a brass acorn finial. The brass bound gadrooned top has anthemion finials. The front of the case has ebonised mouldings with brass stringing and a finely cast brass bezel with convex glass. Below the bezel is a brass framed panel of flame figured mahogany. Cast brass Egyptian figures inset with satinwood to the front angles stand on acanthus leaf supports. The sides of the case have brass sound frets. The front plinth is inset with a ripple moulding, the clock stands on carved ogee feet.

The eight day fusee movement has an engraved border to the backplate and strikes the hours on a bell. The round convex dial has Roman hour numerals and is signed Dwerrihouse & Carter London. The hands are blued steel.

• Height. 21 inches. (53.3 cm)
• Date. Circa 1810.

Egyptian style furniture was illustrated by the furniture designer Thomas Sheraton in his Encyclopedia of 1804-06. Scholars had always been interested in Egyptian design and after the Battle of the Nile in 1798 public interest grew in all things Egyptian. The designer and patron Thomas Hope designed an Egyptian room at his London home in Duchess Street, it is said to have been one of the most inventive interiors of its date in Europe. Thomas Hope displayed his belief in the importance of the ancient Egyptians to the origins of western culture.