Beschreibung:

An extremely rare Charles II brass miniature lantern timepiece with original balance escapement and alarm, circa 1680 The posted movement with brass balance regulated crown wheel escapement and separate alarm mechanism fitted to the inside of the iron backplate sounding on a bell mounted within the domed bell bearer above, the frame with ball feet, column corner posts and vase turned finials, the dial with rosette decorated silvered alarm disc and original iron hand within engraved band of foliate tulip sprays incorporating monogram AM to upper margin, the applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised wheatear half hour markers and quarter divisions to inner track, with dolphin pattern pierced frets, the rear with iron hoop and spurs for wall hanging (side doors lacking), 24.5cm (9.5ins) high. current lot is extremely rare in that it still retains its original brass balance wheel escapement; although a small handful of full-size lantern clocks that retain their original balances are known, the cataloguer is not aware of another documented example of a miniature lantern clock surviving with its original balance wheel escapement intact. close examination it can be seen that the dial engraving was originally laid out with the intention to leave a space for the signature of the maker within the upper margin of the centre, however, as it seems that the clock was to be supplied unsigned, the engraving was finished with the insertion of a flowerhead within this space. This inserted flowerhead incorporates the monogram AM (to the upper left lobe) which suggests the dial may have possibly been engraved by Abraham Martin who is recorded in Loomes, Brian The Early CLOCKMAKERS of Great Britain as an engraver from Geneva who was made a Free Brother of the Clockmakers' Company in September 1682. Martin was a well-connected specialist workman who undertook work for Thomas Tompion (a watch dating to 1683 with case engraved by Martin resides at the Ashmolean Museum), he is also recorded receiving a gift of a month longcase clock from his friend, Richard Street, who was also known to have produced work for Tompion. It is perhaps interesting to further note that Tompion took in (through W. Dent an apprentice named Jeremiah Martin in 1680.quality movement details (notably the steel arbors incorporating delicate turned collets and the rare original steel wedges inserted into both the balance and alarm bottom potances) coupled with the fine engraving suggests that the current lot was made in the workshops of one of the leading London makers at this time; it is a shame that the decision was made to supply it unsigned. However the combination of these and other certain distinctive features, such as opposing steel and brass pulley cheeks and lugs riveted to the underside of the top plate for securing the movement bars, may assist to offer an attribution to a particular workshop with further research. IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS Movements, dials and cases: movements and dials are described as relating to the cases in which they are housed in one of the following three ways: the case.... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial started life in the current case. in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are in a case of correct period and type (and may well be original to the movement and dial), however there is evidence to suggest that they may not have started out life together. now in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are no longer in the original case or one of correct period and/or type. , weights, winding and case keys: we cannot guarantee that the correct number of weights (where appropriate) and/or keys are present with the clock, nor do we indicate in the catalogue description whether weights or keys are present as many clocks are consigned without them. Please check with the department to establish whether they are present or not prior to bidding. : due to