The Clock Work Shop

Description

A most attractive, small, striking English fusee Bracket Clock by John Williamson, Leeds.

The most attractive, ebonised case of diminutive proportions, having four ball and spire finials, an inverted bell top with brass mounts to the sides and back, ringed bun feet, flame escutcheons to the door and topped by an asymmetrically scrolling dolphin handle incorporating eagle masks.

The 6in dial with an applied, silvered chapter ring with Roman hour numerals, inner quarter hours and outer minutes with Arabic five minute markers and fine half hour divisions, the matted centre with a decorated calendar aperture below XII, cherubs head spandrels to the corners separated by asymmetrical engraving having exquisitely pierced and chased blued steel hands, being signed to the bottom of the dial plate ‘Jn Williamson, Leeds, fecit’.

The very well made twin fusee movement of eight day duration, sounding the hours on a bell and having a verge escapement with the earlier style of top and bottom potence, the brass pendulum rod with a pear shaped bob, wheels of four crossings, a brass hammer head, the well engraved backplate depicting asymmetrically scrolling foliage, the back cock with a small, steel apron, central pendulum lock and beautifully made set up springs with pinned on clicks acting on the decoratively turned click wheels, together with a centrally located, large, squared brass screw to the bottom potence, being signed in cursive script ‘John Williamson in Leeds Fecit’

Although signed ‘in Leeds fecit’ it is know that John Williamson also worked in London, a fact borne out by the high standard of finish of this delightful little clock. It is unusual to find clocks of this period made in the provinces, a fact which adds to its rarity and desirability.

C.1690 Height 13 ½” / 34.5cm Including Handle