A GEORGE III GILT BRASS MOUNTED EBONISED TABLE/BRACKET CLOCK MADE FOR THE IBERIAN MARKET

A GEORGE III GILT BRASS MOUNTED EBONISED TABLE/BRACKET CLOCK MADE FOR THE IBERIAN MARKET
ROBERT HIGGS AND DIEGO EVANS, LONDON, CIRCA 1780
The five pillar twin fusee bell striking movement with trip-hour repeat and later anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum, the symmetrical foliate scroll engraved backplate signed Higgs y, DIEGO EVANS, Bolsa Real, LONDRES to a central reserve beneath a basket of flowers, the 7 inch brass break-arch dial with calendar aperture and shaped recessed silvered plate further signed Higgs y, DIEGO EVANS, Bolsa Real, LONDRES to the matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring incorporating Arabic five minutes beyond the minute ring, with scroll pierced steel hands and applied rococo scroll cast spandrels to angles beneath arch with TOCAR/SILENCIO selection dial flanked by conforming cast mounts, the bell-top case with hinged brass carrying handle over rococo scroll cast mount to superstructure and brass pineapple finials over double cavetto top mouldings, the hinged front with giltwood fillet mouldings to the glazed dial aperture and folate cast and pierced upper quadrant frets, the sides with break-arch windows and the rear with break-arch glazed door set within the frame of the case, on cavetto moulded skirt base with gilt brass ogee bracket feet.
48cm (19ins) high with handle down, 28cm (11ins) wide, 18cm (7ins) deep

Provenance:
The Late William Keith Neal, Antique firearms collector, formerly of Bishopstrow House, Warminster, Wiltshire.

Robert Higgs is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as apprenticed in 1743 and gaining his Freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in 1750. He worked from Sweetings Alley and took his brother Peter into partnership in 1770. James Evans is recorded by Baillie as also working from Sweetings Alley from 1773. In 1775 he went into partnership with Robert and Peter Higgs; the firm subsequently moved to Exchange Alley and continued in business until around 1825. The partnership of Higgs and James Evans specialised in producing clocks for the export market - particularly to Spain hence a significant proportion of surviving examples (including the current lot) being annotated and signed in Spanish.

Condition Report:
The movement is in relatively clean working condition however the strike train sometimes 'miscounts' the hour suggesting that slight adjustment to the rack/snail system is required. The escapement has been changed from verge (with short bob pendulum) to anchor although minimal intervention to the plates has occurred hence the clock would convert back leaving little evidence of the present arrangement if so desired. Movement otherwise is in good original condition but with some re-pinioning. The dial is in good original condition retaining older mellow surface exhibiting some rubbing and discolouration, The minute hand has been restored. The case is in good condition with faults limited to slight rubbing to the ebonised finish (most noticeably to the front door) and some light shrinkage cracking (most noticeably to the superstructure). The rear has a small veneer loss to the lower left-hand corner; the escutcheon plate to the front door is a later addition.

Clock has a crank winder and a case key.

Condition Report Disclaimer