Robert Allam, London
Miniature travelling wall timepiece with alarm. Circa 1770
5 inch by 3 1/2 inch break arch brass dial with silvered chapter ring having engraved Roman numerals and diamond half hours. Engraved rococo spandrels and matted centre with delicately pierced blued steel hand with tail for the silvered alarm setting disc. Round silvered cartouche to the arch signed Robt Allam London.
Movement with original verge escapement and short bob pendulum, the alarm with vertical crown wheel striking on a bell above the plates enclosed within engraved shutters, brass suspension loop to the top and wall spurs below.
Height 5 inches (12.5 cm)
Robert Allam is recorded as being apprenticed on the 21st September 1730 to Thomas Smith, turned over to Richard Lilly and becoming a member of the Clockmakers' Company in 1736. His address was next to St. Dunstans Church, Fleet Street, a few doors away from Thomas Mudge and William Dutton.
£13,000