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John Oliver, Manchester Circa 1735

John Oliver, Manchester Circa 1735

A rare miniature brass cased travelling timepiece with alarm
Circa 1735


Height

6¼ inches

Case

The break-arch case of patinated brass with traces of the original gilt-lacquer surface. The top with integral folding carrying handle and glazed break-arch door to the front. The silvered brass dial mask is revealed on opening; signed JOHN OLIVER, MANCHEST’R over the arch. Above the rear square door is a lovely foliate pierced and engraved brass lunette fret.

Dial

3¼  by 4½ inch breakarch dial with pendulum regulation above, the plate engraved with scrolling foliage within a wheatear border. The chapter ring with diamond half-hour and half-quarter markers. The steel beetle and poker hands centred by a silvered alarm disc engraved with the hours 1-12 for setting against the tail of the hour hand.

Movement

The diminutive five pillar fusee movement with verge and crownwheel escapement and pendulum regulation lever above, the separate alarm train cocked via a pulley. The backplate engraved with symmetrical scrolling foliage framed by a wheatear border and signed John Oliver MANCHESTER.

Duration

8 days

Provenance

Private collection UK

John Oliver, Manchester

Born in circa 1683, he married Elizabeth Rydings in 1712. In 1749 a sale of his stock seems to indicate his retirement and he died 27th June 1766, aged 83.

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Product Description

John Oliver, Manchester

Born in circa 1683, he married Elizabeth Rydings in 1712. In 1749 a sale of his stock seems to indicate his retirement and he died 27th June 1766, aged 83.

Additional information

Dimensions 5827373 cm