Classic Design Including Property of the Marquess of Anglesey
Classic Design Including Property of the Marquess of Anglesey
A Victorian engraved gilt-brass desk clock compendium in the manner of Thomas Cole, retailed by Hunt & Roskell, London, circa 1860
Lot Closed
April 11, 03:58 PM GMT
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
in the form of a four-sided two-tier tower, surmounted by a mercury thermometer above a moon-phase dial, the upper section containing the clock with foliate engraved silvered 2¼-inch dial above subsidiary day and date dials, the fusee and chain movement with maintaining power, under-slung club tooth lever platform escapement and split bimetallic balance, rack striking on a coiled gong, the backplate applied with a plaque signed and numbered Hunt & Roskell, London, No.10298, the case finely engraved with flowers and foliate scrolls, the panels glazed and centered with unengraved cartouches, the rear door finely engraved with a scene entitled Constantinople, the lower tier with a silvered barometer dial, the sides and rear engraved with foliate scrolls and strapwork,
42.5cm. 16¾in. high
Thomas Cole (1800-1864) was born in Somerset, the younger son of James Cole, clockmaker. His more famous elder brother, James Ferguson Cole, moved to London in 1821 and was soon joined by Thomas. Their working partnership ended in 1829 and Thomas set up on his own as a watchmaker but by 1845 he described himself as "a designer and maker of ornamental clocks". At the Great Exhibition of 1851 Thomas Cole displayed six of his clocks. He also took part in the Paris International Exhibition in 1855. By now he had a serious following of his work and in his final International Exhibition in London in 1862 he was awarded a medal for excellence in taste and design.
Thomas Cole did not always sign his clocks and he is known to have supplied clocks to a number of important London retailers including Hunt & Roskell as in the present example.
A very similar clock compendium signed Hunt & Roskell was sold Christies, London, 19th November 2015, Lot 689. Another similar example, also signed Hunt & Roskell and numbered 10236 was offered Bonhams, New York, 21st August 2020, Lot 76.
For further information about Thomas Cole see J. B. Hawkins, Thomas Cole and Victorian Clockmaking, 1975.