A mid 19th century bronzed Carriage clock with underslung English lever platform escapement
Williamson, Royal Exchange, London
Surmounted by a gilt facetted handle on scroll uprights set on a glazed raised section over a moulded cornice, glazed sides and doors, the front corners canted and terminating in upright scrolls to a stepped plinth on gilt button feet. The 3-inch arched gilt dial signed in a polished reserve Williamson, Royal Exchange, London over the Roman chapter ring and blued steel hands all set against a richly decorated panel featuring flowers, a bird, and a butterfly within foliate scrolls and tendrils. The twin chain fusee movement with underslung jewelled English lever platform escapement benefitting from Harrison's maintaining power. Rack striking on a circular section blued steel coiled gong. Ticking, striking and repeating with two case keys and a winding key. 25cm (9.5 in) high
Footnotes:
Christopher Williamson was working at the Royal Exchange between 1821-1844. A giant carriage clock, with a similar aesthetic to the current carriage clock, is known to be inscribed on the back plate 'Craighead & Webb late C. Williamson, Royal Exchange, LONDON'.
Craighead & Webb are listed as working in London in either 1836 or 1851 through to 1863, and it seems that in the mid-1840's they were employed in finishing one of Williamson's clocks, which for reasons unknown he was unable to finish. That he had been working on a clock upon his death could suggest that he was relatively young when he died.

A rosewood travelling clock by Williamson was sold in these rooms in 15 December 2004, Lot 96.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: *
* VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.

THE CASE
The case is generally good condition, with only minimal rubbing along some of the edges as one would expect on a clock of this age. The gilt handle is fine, as are the feet. The right-hand glass panel has some old chipping to the right-hand side, the left panel is a poor fit, the top glass panel is also a little loose. The rear door hinge is missing a screw. The two movement-securing screws that pass up through the base are lacking and so the movement sits loose in its case, although as it is tight and so works perfectly well in ordinary usage. The top front left hand corner has a small knock, as can be seen on the illustration. The handle is good and strong, retaining most of its original gilt finish. Both doors open and shut with keys, the locks appear to be original.


THE DIAL
The gilt dial is very good, but with a little scuffing to the numerals: III, IV, and XII- - this can be just about seen on the illustration, it really is very minor. The blued steel hands are original and in good order. The signature is excellent.


THE MOVEMENT
The movement with original escapement striking the hours on a gong. The movement is in a clean condition, but a service should be considered to ensure the future of this fine clock. The push lever for the repeat set into the side of the case is missing. It is sold with a winding key and the movement runs and strikes well.