Vulliamy, London. No. 1545 SOLD

Clockmaker: Vulliamy, London

SOLD

A rare superb pietra dura inlaid mantel timepiece. Circa 1845

Case

Classic architectural top case in ashford marble inlaid with pietra dura of malachite, Duke's red marble and lapis lazuli.

Dial

The round silvered dial signed Vulliamy London with engine turned centre and Roman hour numerals with fine blued steel hands. The mercury gilt bezel with apertures for the hand setting and winding.

Movement

Very high quality, eight day, single fusee movement with semi dead beat escapement and large backcock. Signed on the backplate Vulliamy, London, 1545. Original steel rod pendulum with roller suspension and heavy bob numbered 1545.

Height. 12 3/4 inches. (32.5 cm)

The case of this beautiful clock is made from Ashford Black Marble, it is not a true marble but a dark limestone quarried from mines near Ashford-in-the-Water, in Derbyshire.

A similar mantel timepiece by Vulliamy No. 1657 also with off set winding and hand setting in a Malachite case is known.

Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy was the last of a line of exceptional clockmakers, and the last of his illustrious family to hold the Royal Clockmaker's Warrant.

Born on the 25th January 1780, not a lot is known about his childhood, he spent most of it at 68 Pall Mall. He joined his father in Pall Mall very early in life, certainly when less than 20 years of age. He received the Freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in December 1809 and became a liveryman in January 1810 at the age of 30 and was admitted to the Court of Guild in the same year. There he served every office in the Court and was five times elected Master.