A fine early Victorian ormolu mounted tortoiseshell table timepiece in the Louis XV taste Vulliamy, London, circa 1837 The substantial four pillar single chain fusee movement with unusual balloon-shaped plates and half deadbeat escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum, the backplate with pendulum holdfast bracket and stamped with serial number 1340 towards lower margin, the 5 inch circular convex white enamel Roman numeral dial signed VULLIAMY, LONDON to centre, with outer minute track and blued steel hands set behind heavy hinged convex bevel-glazed leaf decorated reeded bezel, the waisted tortoiseshell veneered case with elaborate acorn and oak leaf cast finial to the ogee shaped surmount over rococo scroll crest, conforming shoulder mounts flanking dial and floral spray centred apron mount, the sides with symmetrical scroll pierced brass frets set with rococo chased arched surrounds, the rear with mounts matching the front flanking balloon-shaped door inset with conforming brass fret infill, on generous leafy rococo-scroll cast feet, 40.5cm (16ins) high. 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, which means that the current lot, number 1340, remains unidentified.
A fine early Victorian ormolu mounted tortoiseshell table timepiece in the Louis XV taste Vulliamy, London, circa 1837 The substantial four pillar single chain fusee movement with unusual balloon-shaped plates and half deadbeat escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum, the backplate with pendulum holdfast bracket and stamped with serial number 1340 towards lower margin, the 5 inch circular convex white enamel Roman numeral dial signed VULLIAMY, LONDON to centre, with outer minute track and blued steel hands set behind heavy hinged convex bevel-glazed leaf decorated reeded bezel, the waisted tortoiseshell veneered case with elaborate acorn and oak leaf cast finial to the ogee shaped surmount over rococo scroll crest, conforming shoulder mounts flanking dial and floral spray centred apron mount, the sides with symmetrical scroll pierced brass frets set with rococo chased arched surrounds, the rear with mounts matching the front flanking balloon-shaped door inset with conforming brass fret infill, on generous leafy rococo-scroll cast feet, 40.5cm (16ins) high. 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, which means that the current lot, number 1340, remains unidentified.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
