Whitehurst, Derby.

SOLD

Small ebonised and brass bound bracket clock, the six inch silvered break arch dial with strike/silent subsidiary dial to the arch, signed Whitehurst Derby. Blued steel hands. The superb quality eight day double fusee movement striking the hours on a bell with trip repeat function. Signed on the backplate Whitehurst Derby number 6174 and dated 1843.

The ebonised and brass bound break arch case has a single brass framed pad to the top, brass canted corners to the brass framed door, carrying handles to the sides above fish scale frets, brass bound moulding above the bracket feet.

This clock was made by John Whitehurst III, Grandson of the highly regarded John Whitehurst FRS. It is interesting to note that in 1846 he was requested to submit plans for the Palace of Westminster clock, B. L.Vulliamy had also tendered for it along with E. J. Dent who eventually won the contract after Vulliamy dropped out and Whitehurst died.

John Whitehurst of Derby was a clockmaker and scientist, he made significant early contributions to geology and was involved in the development of the steam engine. He was Fellow of the Royal Society and an influential member of the Lunar Society.

For further reading. Craven, Maxwell (1996). John Whitehurst of Derby: Clockmaker and Scientist 1713-88. Derbyshire: Ashbourne. ISBN 0952327031.

• Height. 12 3/4 inches. (32.5 cm)
• Date. Circa 1843