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THOMAS WAGSTAFFE, LONDON. CIRCA 1780
Details
A George III green and gilt japanned musical automaton table clock depicting the Lord Mayor's parade
Thomas Wagstaffe, London. Circa 1780
The redecorated case with gilt Chinoiserie figures on a green ground, brass handle to the inverted bell top with flambeau finials, serpentine aperture to the front door, the moulded base on brass bracket feet, the dial signed Thos Wagstaffe London on a silvered plaque in the matted centre, silvered chapter ring with inner concentric calendar, blued steel hands, the spandrels painted with flowers in high relief, the arch cut out to display an automaton scene with silk curtain painted with the Royal Coat of Arms slowly raising on a cam system on commencement of the music to reveal the Lord Mayor's parade with a procession of mounted soldiers and dignitaries and the Lord Mayor's carriage drawn by four greys followed by Dick Whittington with his cat, the background painted with a London cobbled street scene with soldiers drawn to attention and two drummers beating their drums to the music, the silvered tune selection above engraved Jigg Minuet Gavot March, the five pillar movement with triple fusees having chains for the musical automaton train and gut for the going and hour strike trains, knife-edge verge escapement, the hours striking on a single bell, the music and automaton playing every three hours on ten bells via eleven hammers; movement and case possibly associated
19½in. (49.5cm.) high
Thomas Wagstaffe, London. Circa 1780
The redecorated case with gilt Chinoiserie figures on a green ground, brass handle to the inverted bell top with flambeau finials, serpentine aperture to the front door, the moulded base on brass bracket feet, the dial signed Thos Wagstaffe London on a silvered plaque in the matted centre, silvered chapter ring with inner concentric calendar, blued steel hands, the spandrels painted with flowers in high relief, the arch cut out to display an automaton scene with silk curtain painted with the Royal Coat of Arms slowly raising on a cam system on commencement of the music to reveal the Lord Mayor's parade with a procession of mounted soldiers and dignitaries and the Lord Mayor's carriage drawn by four greys followed by Dick Whittington with his cat, the background painted with a London cobbled street scene with soldiers drawn to attention and two drummers beating their drums to the music, the silvered tune selection above engraved Jigg Minuet Gavot March, the five pillar movement with triple fusees having chains for the musical automaton train and gut for the going and hour strike trains, knife-edge verge escapement, the hours striking on a single bell, the music and automaton playing every three hours on ten bells via eleven hammers; movement and case possibly associated
19½in. (49.5cm.) high
Provenance
Bought from a dealer in 1978
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.