Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 48

Thomas Strong London Second Half of the 18th century Very fine ebony veneered on oalc twelve melody musical dock.

C. Rectangular arched, gilt bronze scrolled feet with floral decoration, gilt bronze corner decorations of flower and leaf clusters flanking a central trophy of musical instruments, gilt grills with floral studs at the intersections to the side and back doors backed with red silk. Gilt bronze top and corner finials in the form of urns, gilt rectangular frames on dome. Gilt carrying handles; plinth with applied gilt rectangles and scrolled feet echoing the decoration of the upper case. D. Arched, applied white enamel centre and chapter ring, Roman hour and Arabic minute numerals, gilt brass symmetrical spandrels, arch with engraved signature, leaf branch and flower decoration around white enamel subsidiary dials for "strike/silent", melody selection and 'chime not chime'. Cut blued steel bands. M. Plated rectangular three train, with finely engraved symmetrical flowing leaf-branch decoration to the back-plate. Horizontal verge escapement with short, brass, bob pendulum, fusee and chain, plain turned pillars, half-hour striking on bell, internal count wheel; music by a carillon of 14 bells mounted horizontally, like the pin-barrel across the outer top of the back-plate, pull cord operation. Fixing brackets with engraved flower and tendril decoration. Among the twelve melodies played by the clock are " Rule Britania", "Cod Save the King" and "Lord Cathcart" which name disguises the military movement of Haydn 's symphony 100. In very good condition. Dimension. 173 x 56 x 39 cm.