An English Victorian gilt brass engraved travel clock, circa 1850.

Description

English travel clocks

English clockmakers were known for their skill and the quality of their work. Typically the clocks are beautiful and issued with durable heavily executed movements. Most English makers worked individually or in smaller workplaces. It resulted in a production of high quality pieces but which weren’t cheap. Especially compared to the travel clocks which were imported from France from the second quarter of the 19th Century on. The larger scaled production in France consisted of a system of division of labour. Artisans would specialize in a single part or step in the production proces. In this way they delivered high quality for less cost. Around the middle of the nineteenth Century the French import became too dominant and caused the production of English travel clocks to diminish. Therefore English travel clocks are rare and differ in shape and execution from their French counterparts. This well-made compact clock is a nice example of this high quality more individual production.

silvered brass dial

The 5.2-cm silvered brass dial is embellished with beautiful foliate rococo engraving. The chater ring has Roman numerals and the fleur-de-lis hands are made of blued steel.

Fusee and chain

The movement of eight day duration is driven by a spring barrel in combination with a fusee and chain. It is regulated by an under slung lever escapement in combination with a plain balance. A fixed operating knob for the hands is mounted on the back plate.

Gilt brass

The rectangular gilt brass case is adorned with a geometrical engraved decor. It is surmounted by a hinged carrying handle and has four finials on the corners. There is similar geometrical decor to the sides while the back door is embellished with engraved flowers. The whole is raised on turned feet.