A substantial and fine, English fusee, striking carriage clock. By Cousens & Whiteside, London. Circa 1845.
A rare and beautiful English carriage clock by exceptional makers/retailers.
The double chain fusee, 8 day duration movement with a top-mounted, jewelled, English ratchet-toothed, side lever platform escapement. This having a split, bi-metallic balance wheel, graduated index regulation scale and a large base plate that spans the width and depth of the movement top. The movement also has rack and star wheel hour striking on a large, rear-mounted coiled gong, Harrison's maintaining power to the going train, strike repeating and the back plate is signed "Cousins & Whiteside, 20 Davies Street, Berkeley Square. In well-executed engraving.
The 2 7/8" diameter, silvered and engine turned circular dial has an outer minute track and Roman hour numerals. The matching blued steel hands are Breguet 'open moon' style. The dial is behind a fully engraved and gilded mask of Rococo and matted design that is deeply 'bright cut' engraved.
The pillar style case of superb quality is fully gilded and has engraving. The 3 part Serpentine style carrying handle swings back and forth and the swan neck ends and brackets have conforming and deep engraving to both sides. The shaped top plate has a large rectangular shaped, thick bevelled glass panel set within a frame through which the escapement can be viewed. It also has 'basket weave' engine turning to the top surface. It also has 4 acorn finials to the protruding corners. There is a lower top plate that carries a plain shaped upper plinth, this repeated to the bottom of the case and sits upon 4 cast, low bun feet. The case body has 4 pillars incorporating capitals to the corners and encompassing full-size, thick bevelled glass panels. The front and back of the case have full-size and panelled spring catch doors, the front of which is also fully engraved. Both doors can only be released by depressing the top-mounted release buttons and they spring open. The hour striking repeat tab protrudes from the right hand side of the case.
* This is a particularly rare and fine clock and was sold by Cousins & Whiteside who were known as elite West End of London Horologists and retailers. They were also known as retailers of clocks with exceptional movements of which this is one. The photographs of this item do not serve it justice and it looks truly magnificent to the naked eye. The deep set, hand engraving could only have been carried out by a master engraver and is incredible, no expense was spared in the manufacture of this clock and when first sold, it would have had an eye-watering price tag! If you desire a fabulous antique and classic, English carriage clock then this would be hard to beat. It is worth mentioning that the movement is so robust that time-setting is carried out by physically moving the minute hand as with larger clocks rather than with a double-ended key!
Dimensions: 6 7/8" high excluding the handle x 5" wide x 4" deep.
Circa: 1845.
Condition: The movement is fully working and keeping time however, it has not
received attention for a number of years and would benefit from a complete
overhaul. It is complete and totally original. The dial is a little worn but
acceptable and has not been refinished. The case is working correctly i.e. the
door and repeat buttons and the gilding is superb. The are minor signs of
age damage here and there such as tiny chips to the panels and door pin
repairs but generally, the whole clock is superb.
Price: £8,000 in its current and working condition. A price for any work required can
be supplied upon enquiry. I believe that this is a truly collectable and unique
clock however, I have priced it at the necessary level that we need to attain.
