A fine Scottish Regency period 8-day mahogany mantel timepiece of rare small size. It has a flat 6-inch silvered brass dial which is signed by the maker Robt Bryson, Edinburgh and has Roman hour numerals. The steel Breguet-style hands appear to be original.

The well-proportioned stepped chamfer top case is veneered in figured rosewood and has brass inset mouldings to the front. There are fish-scale sound frets and repoussé brass foliate carrying handles to each side. It stands on four brass ball feet.

Date: circa 1820 – 1830

Height: 12 ¾ in (32.5 cm)

Width: 8 ¾ in (22.25 cm)

Depth: 6 ¼ in (16.5 cm)

*  Robert Bryson was born circa 1778 and by 1810 he was a respected maker of clocks and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. When he died in 1852 his son Alexander (born c.1816 – d.1866) succeeded him and became Clockmaker to the Queen in Scotland. He was well known as an inventor of horological and scientific instruments. Following his death in 1866 his brother Robert (II) took over the business and by 1872 it became known as Robert Bryson & Sons.

HW6219