Vulliamy, London No. 1635 SOLD

Clockmaker: Vulliamy, London

SOLD

Rare, small ebony cased, quarter striking table clock. Circa 1845

Case

Arch top case, the carcass of mahogany veneered in ebony with glazed gilt brass lined side panels and panelled top, banded with gilt brass, surmounted by a U shaped urn handle with pommel.

Dial

The five inch, arched silvered dial with Roman hour numerals signed to the lower margin Vulliamy London No.1635. Fine blued steel Breguet style hands and concealed strike silent lever behind the front door.

Movement

The substantial, eight day, triple chain fusee movement with Harrison’s maintaining power, striking the hours and quarters on three polished bells. Large gilt lever platform escapement with curved silvered regulation scale, bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel balance spring, and gold lever fork. The backplate signed Vulliamy London and numbered 1635.

Height 10 ¾ inches. (27 cm)

This is the only example of a small ebony three train mantel clock with platform lever escapement of this design we have seen to date.

The rear of the dial is scratch signed Charles Cotterbrune & Sons 29 Dean Street Soho. It is thought Charles Cottebrune was French and in Paris before coming to

London at quite a young age, perhaps as an apprentice or journeyman clockmaker. The signature of Cotterbrune indicates he had a connection with Vulliamy, most likely as an outworker. Karl Marx lived next door at 28 Dean Street in 1851-56. Today 26 - 29 Dean Street is occupied by the Soho restaurant and private members club, Quo Vadis.