Lot Essay
James Tregent (1759-1808) was a Freeman of the Clockmakers' Company 1781-1808. He was watchmaker to the Prince of Wales and an intimate of Garrick, Kendall and other leading lights of the theatre. His brother, Anthony, was an enameller and it is for his refined enamel dials that Tregent is justly renowned. A slightly larger table clock by Tregent of related design was sold anonymously Bonhams, London, 7 July 2009, lot 84 (£14,400).
Tregent's first premises were at 35 Strand, where he is recorded in 1775. From 1780 he was working at 35 Cranbourne Street, Leicester Square. R C R Barder illustrates a fine Tregent table clock with enamel world time dial (The Georgian Bracket Clock 1714-1830, Woodbridge, 1993, p. 98, pl. IV/18).
Tregent's first premises were at 35 Strand, where he is recorded in 1775. From 1780 he was working at 35 Cranbourne Street, Leicester Square. R C R Barder illustrates a fine Tregent table clock with enamel world time dial (The Georgian Bracket Clock 1714-1830, Woodbridge, 1993, p. 98, pl. IV/18).