VICTORIAN ANTIQUE PORCELAIN MANTEL CLOCK BY BENJAMIN LEWIS VULLIAMY, LONDON
By Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy
England, 1830
VICTORIAN ANTIQUE PORCELAIN MANTEL CLOCK BY BENJAMIN LEWIS VULLIAMY, LONDON
England, 1830
H 11 inch (28 cm) W 5⁷/₈ inch (15 cm)
A fine early 19th century Coalport Porcelain cased timepiece by this famous maker.
The elaborate pink ground porcelain case is set with exotic birds and flowers on scroll feet, with gilded scrollwork and latticework. The 2.75 inch gilt dial with unusual alternating patterns of engine turning, roman numerals and blued steel moon hands.
The single fusee movement has anchor escapement to a brass crutch with u-shaped fork. The backplate is signed ‘Vulliamy LONDON’ and numbered 1186.
Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (1780–1854) was a respected clockmaker and son of the famous clockmaker Benjamin Vulliamy (died 1811), whom he succeeded as clockmaker to the Crown. He oversaw the family clock- making business and undertook several important commissions for clocks for churches and public buildings, including one for Windsor Castle. However, he failed to gain the commission for Big Ben and became embroiled in an 8-year dispute with the firm of Dent over the issue.
Decorative porcelain cases like this were fashionable in the first quarter of the 19th century and the early Victorian period, and in fact Vulliamy produced a number of clocks of this type. At least two were purchased by the Royal family and are still in the Royal Collection today.
Condition Good
MATERIALS Porcelain