A FINE VICTORIAN CARVED MAHOGANY FUSEE WALL TIMEPIECE

A FINE VICTORIAN CARVED MAHOGANY FUSEE WALL TIMEPIECEBenjamin Lewis Vulliamy, London, dated 1851The four columnar pillar single chain fusee movement with plates measuring 6 by 5.25 inches and half deadbeat escapement regulated by 14 inch pendulum with very heavy brass bob stamped with serial number 1905 and T-bar suspension, the backplate inscribed VULLIAMY, LONDON, No.1721, the 12 inch circular silvered brass Roman numeral dial signed B.L. VULLIAMY, CLOCK MAKER TO THE QUEEN, LONDON, AD. 1851 to centre and with blued steel hands, the circular case with substantial front door carved with a laurel wreath tied with a ribbon bow at six o'clock enveloping a moulded glazed wooden bezel with gilt concave insert to interior, the drum-shaped case behind with pendulum access to underside, (unrestored, lacking access flap to base).48cm (19ins) wide, 51cm (20ins) high, 19cm (7.5ins) deep. Provenance: The Estate of Lawrance Hurst. Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as born 1780 to Benjamin Vulliamy and gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1809. He worked from 52 Pall Mall, served as Warden 1821-5 and was appointed Master five times. He was the last of the celebrated dynasty of Royal clockmakers which started with his grandfather, Justin, forming a partnership with George II's clockmaker, Benjamin Gray. Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy was perhaps one of the most influential horologists of his time publishing many works and undertaking numerous high profile public commissions as well as holding the Royal Warrant. He supplied many clocks to the Royal family including the turret clock for Windsor Castle in 1829 (replacing an earlier movement by Joseph Knibb); however his horological legacy is perhaps somewhat slightly blighted by his tendency to undertake controversial alterations to earlier important clocks by makers such as Tompion. The Vulliamys started numbering most of their clocks from 1788 until 1854. Two of the original Vulliamy work books still survive in the library of the British Horological Institute at Upton Hall, these often can provide valuable information regarding the manufacture and provenance of many clocks made by the workshop. Unfortunately the records are incomplete hence only note clocks with serial numbers 296-469 and 746-1067. There is also a third surviving Vulliamy workbook, relating only to repairs and servicing dating to the period 1846-53. Interestingly this volume records at least sixty five clocks being in the possession of the government 'Office of Works' and another forty being in the possession of Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace. Roger Smith in his article titled Vulliamy Clock Numbering, A Postscript, published in Antiquarian Horology Vol. 21 No. 5 (September 1994), used surviving data in the records of the British Horological Institute at Upton Hall and known documented examples to compile a graph from which unrecorded clocks can be fairly accurately dated. The current lot benefits from being dated (hence serves useful datum point with regards to the dating Vulliamy clocks) and is unusually signed with Benjamin Lewis's initials together with 'Clock Maker to The Queen'. Interestingly the date of clock corresponds to the year of the 'Great Exhibition' which, when considering the embellished signature coupled with the particularly decorative case, does beg the question as to whether the current lot was intended for exhibition purposes.Condition Report: Movement is in dirty/neglected condition but is complete and all-original with minimal noticeable wear. To clarify the serial number of the pendulum matches that of the movement (1905). The dial has overall heavy patchy discolouration and wear to the silvering however all engraving is strong and clear. One of the dial feet screws is a replacement. The hands are probably not original.The hinge for the bezel/surround is lacking its screws/fixings for attachment to the case behind hence is currently loose. The carved border is lacking most of one loop to the ribbon bow, the other loop has a small section missing and there are a few small historic chips/losses to the tips of some of the laurel leaves as well as some slight shrinkage cracking. The circumference of the case has some wear/chipping to the veneer at the rear edge as well as shrinkage cracking due to slight/moderate movement of the segments that make up the curve sections in the carcass beneath. There is bruising around the brass top hanging hoop, the base has evidence of being fitted with a second brass loop for attaching to the wall, this is now incomplete. The base also has a rectangular aperture for a door/flap which is now missing. The case finish is generally very dirty/discoloured otherwise faults are limited to age related bumps, scuff and shrinkage.Timepiece has a pendulum but no winder or case keys. Please ask the department for additional imagesCondition Report Disclaimer