Master Art

An exceptional quality early 19th century clock by Vulliamy, No. 758. The white enamel dial with gilt Roman numerals, signed on the reverse by the enameller, Harrison, having typical pierced and engraved hands within chased ormolu frame mounted in a block of white statuary marble having signed Wedgwood jasperware plaques to the sides within ormolu frames and surmounted by an ormolu armillary sphere engraved with the signs of the zodiac and resting on a finely chased ormolu plinth signed, ‘Vulliamy London,’ this flanked by two Derby biscuit porcelain putti with ormolu geometric attributes as well as a sextant, a sheet of parchment and a book, all mounted on a bow fronted white marble plinth with ormolu bun feet and within a glass dome with ebonised base. The movement an eight day single train with gut fusee and half dead beat escapement. The backplate signed and numbered ‘758 Vulliamy London’ and having original numbered pendulum with steel rod and brass knob.

Note: The Vulliamy workbook which includes No. 758 is held by the British Horological Institute and includes the bill for this clock, showing a princely cost of £16.7s 7d. A closely related clock was in the collection of ‘Christian, Lady Hesketh’, and was sold at Sotheby’s London, March, 2007. With minor restorations to left hand putto.

Height: 12 ¾ in; 33 cm Width: 11 ¾ in; 30 cm Depth: 5 in; 13 cm The dome and stand: Height: 15 ¼ in; 39 cm Width: 14 ¼ in; 36 cm Depth: 8 ½ in; 21.5 cm