A fine mid-19th century ebonised and brass-inlaid table clock by these provincial English makers.

The well-proportioned ebonised coromandel case is mounted with fine brass inlay, including stylised foliate panels and quatrefoil motifs to the front, with brass stringing to the sides, surmounted by a dentil-moulded cornice.. The case stands on raised engine turned acorn feet.

The 4 ½-inch white enamel dial is signed Whitehurst & Son, Derby, and features Roman numerals and a subsidiary date dial above VI. The original blued steel Breguet hands are finely pierced with a very fine steel pointer for setting the alarm. The dial is set behind a convex glass with a high quality turned brass bezel.

The high-quality single-fusee 8-day movement is signed to the backplate with an external click, with shaped shouldered plates, with original anchor escapement, heavy brass pendulum, and well-shaped backcock with regulated crutch. The movement strikes the alarm on a bell and retains the original polished brass pendulum and steel rod.

Height: 10 ¾ in (27.3 cm)

Width: 7 ¼ in (18.4 cm)

Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)

* Whitehurst & Son of Derby were among the most respected provincial clockmakers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Originally founded by John Whitehurst FRS (1713–1788), the firm continued under his successors well into the Victorian era, producing both scientific instruments and high-quality clocks.

Note: Whitehurst & Sons were clockmakers and watchmakers, invited to tender for Big Ben clock, Westminster.

See: Brian Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, 21st Century Edition (NAG Press, 2006), p.833.

HW6302