Beschreibung:

Y A fine and rare George II miniature ebony table clockHenry Fish, London, mid 18th centuryThe six pillar twin chain fusee bell-striking movement now with anchor escapement regulated by disc-bob pendulum incorporating rise/fall regulation beam to suspension, the backplate finely engraved with asymmetric foliate rococo scrolls, the 4 inch gilt brass break-arch dial with blanked-off false-bob aperture to the matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track, with scroll pierced steel hands and unusual gilt palmette and scroll cast spandrels to angles beneath arch centred with shaped recessed silvered plate signed Henry Fish, LONDON flanked by subsidiary STRIKE/SILENT selection and regulation dials with calendar aperture to lower margin between, the ebony veneered break-arch case with hinged brass carrying over generous single curved ogee-moulded raised pad to top, cavetto cornice and raised mouldings bordering the glazed dial aperture to the front door, the sides with conforming concave topped windows and the rear with full-width break-arch glazed door, on cavetto moulded skirt base with squab feet, (formerly with quarter-repeat work), 23cm (9ins) tall excluding handle. Henry Fish senior is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as working in London when he took his son (of the same) name as an apprentice in 1709. Henry Fish junior is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working from (4 Sweetings Alley) Royal Exchange, London, 1736-74. Miniature table clocks are particularly scarce and are generally defined as being less than 12 inches in height for a break-arch dialled example. The current lot measures only 9 inches high excluding the handle.