| 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 Circa 1735
A rare miniature brass cased travelling timepiece with alarm
Circa 1735
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.