A fine Victorian engraved sterling silver and silver gilt travel strut clock in fitted case
in the manner of Thomas Cole; retailed by Hunt & Roskell, London
1850
The oval dial with Roman numerals, and inscribed HUNT & ROSKELL, the case surmounted by a folding handle, adjustable within the shaped uprights, with locking pin to reverse of case, fitted with a thermometer to the lower case above a folding support, the reverse with hinged door revealing the balance wheel, the backplate inscribed HUNT & ROSKELL LONDON, contained in the original fitted case with gilt metal key, hallmarked several times for London 1850.
height 7 1/4 in (18.5cm); width 4in (10cm); depth 1in (2.4cm) depth with folding foot open 3 1/4in (8.5cm)
Provenance:
Property from the private collection of Nina Schwimmer, Los Angeles, California.

Footnote:
The firm of Hunt & Roskell was founded by the famous gold and silversmith Paul Storr. When Storr went into partnership with John Mortimer and John Samuel Hunt, he took up the retailing of clocks and watches in addition to his original business of selling exquisite gold, silver and jewelry in their New Bond Street shop. The partnership dissolved at the end of 1838, and Mortimer, J.S. and J. Hunt continued trading as Mortimer & Hunt at 156 New Bond Street. When Mortimer retired in 1843, he was replaced by Robert Roskell, and the company continued as Hunt & Roskell until it was bought by J.W. Benson in 1866.

Hunt & Roskell exhibited at the Great Exhibition held in 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Londons Hyde Park where they were celebrated for the splendor of their display, reputedly worth a total of ?100,000. Further exhibitions followed both at home and abroad including New York in 1853 and the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867 and for many years they held the Royal Warrant of Queen Victoria.

Thomas Cole (1800-1864) was the son of clock maker James Cole. In 1823, at the beginning of his career Cole worked in partnership with his brother James Cole at 3 Bond Street, London. Thomas Cole dissolved the partnership with his brother between 1829 and1835 and began working as a watchmaker. He honed his craft over the years and 1845 he described himself as a designer and maker of ornamental clocks. Most of these were produced for and sold through preeminent London jewelers and goldsmiths including Hunt & Roskell, Asprey, R. & S. Garrard and others. The Cole workshop produced all the components of his clocks. This is unusual for the time as most clockmakers by then sourced their cases, movements, dials, hands and other elements from horological manufacturers and case makers.

Thomas Coles first showing was at the Great Exhibition, London in 1851. Along with his own booth, he had a variety of pieces on display in the stands of at least four other retailers, including Hunt & Roskell, each one with unique characteristics to avoid professional conflicts. His work was shown also at the Paris Exposition Universelle, 1855 and the London International Exhibition, 1862
Thomas Cole clocks are highly regarded by collectors. They demonstrate the highest standards of English Victorian clockmaking, from the delicate blued steel hands to the intricate engraved case decoration to the exquisitely finished movements.

The vast majority of Coles recorded strut clocks are gilt brass. This is the first known example in solid silver.

Loss of gilding especially to the lower half of the clock, possibly due to water damage as the surround of the thermometer has staining behind the glass, thermometer not working. The oval case a little loose in the supports. The movement currently maintaining power. Lacking screw to lower left corner of case above thermometer, a few screws to back of case not biting, holes probably stripped.
Traveling case 7 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches, with a break on the hinge, scattered scuffs to leather, silk and velvet to interior worn and torn. Working condition not guaranteed.