Gorge cc with exceptionally fine champleve enamel sold by Hunt & Roskell (c. 1860 France)

D274

Gilded and champleve enamel

Hunt and Roskell, goldsmiths to the Queen and royal family

14.00 cm wide   17.80 cm high

5.51 inches wide  7.01 inches high

Derek Roberts. Carriage and other travelling clocks, pages 200-205

Very good

D274. A particularly fine gorge cased carriage clock, circa 1860, decorated in beautifully executed champleve enamel, which was retailed by the eminent silversmiths, jewellers and engravers, Hunt & Roskell, who held the Royal Warrant. They commenced trading at 156 New Bond Street in in 1844 and finally ceased in 1911. It comes complete with its original carrying case, numbered 4456, which is inscribed inside the lid in gold lettering Hunt & Roskell, late Storr & Mortimer, jewellers and goldsmiths to the Queen and Royal Family, 156? New Bond Street and is still in good order.

This clock, which is of particularly fine quality and must have been commissioned by Hunt & Roskell from one of the leading French carriage clock makers, is smothered in very fine champleve enamel on all four sides and also the top. It is decorated in a variety of colours including blues, greens, yellows and pinks.

The top of the case has an oval glass revealing the lever escapement and is surrounded by flowers set against a silvered background to match the platform. The handle and top moulds of the case are decorated in blues and pinks and the four columns also use scrollwork. The bottom mounts on the case employ floral designs.

The floral enamel-work on the gilded dial plate extends around the main dial, which employs delicate roman numerals for the hours and arabics for the minutes. These are also used on the alarm. The movement is signed to the top of the backplate Hunt and Roskell London and bears the number 4456.

An interesting feature is the fine quality and very substantial gilded winding key which is obviously of English manufacture. Obviously Hunt and Roskell did not think much of the French ones!

A detailed account of Hunt & Roskells business is given in Chronometer makers of the world by Tony Mercer.

Height with/without handle 7"/ 5.5" (17.8 / 14 cms.)

Please email or call +44 (0)1732 867788 for more information or to purchase this item.

SOLD