John Oliver, Manchester Circa 1735

6¼ inches

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.

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.

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.

8 days

Private collection UK