Lot Essay
A late Victorian maker of repute, Vasel is recorded working at several addresses in London from 1886-1907.
Strut clocks were first designed and popularised by the great Victorian carriage clockmaker Thomas Cole (1800-1864) and derive their name from their rear pivoted strut support. J.B. Hawkins (Thomas Cole and Victorian Clockmaking, Woodbridge, 1975, pp.159-165) suggests Cole first conceived the idea circa 1845 and that these clocks were the mainstay of his business until his death in 1864. They gained their popularity from their flatness, or thinness, as they were more portable than the square bulk of traditional carriage clocks.
Cole's clocks were often signed by their retailers, such as C. F. Hancock, Asprey and Garrard. They were produced during his lifetime and generally had hidden stamps identifying them as Cole's work. Vasel, along with makers such as Edward White, copied Cole's style of strut clock in the late 19th and early 20th Century and it is interesting to note that he continued the tradition of the 'secret' signature. Hawkins (pp. 160-164, items 58-60) illustrates three examples with similar cases to the present clock, although with slight variations to the engraving.
A comparable strut clock by Vasel, retailed by London and Ryder, was sold anonymously, Christie's London, 14 June 2000, lot 4.
Strut clocks were first designed and popularised by the great Victorian carriage clockmaker Thomas Cole (1800-1864) and derive their name from their rear pivoted strut support. J.B. Hawkins (Thomas Cole and Victorian Clockmaking, Woodbridge, 1975, pp.159-165) suggests Cole first conceived the idea circa 1845 and that these clocks were the mainstay of his business until his death in 1864. They gained their popularity from their flatness, or thinness, as they were more portable than the square bulk of traditional carriage clocks.
Cole's clocks were often signed by their retailers, such as C. F. Hancock, Asprey and Garrard. They were produced during his lifetime and generally had hidden stamps identifying them as Cole's work. Vasel, along with makers such as Edward White, copied Cole's style of strut clock in the late 19th and early 20th Century and it is interesting to note that he continued the tradition of the 'secret' signature. Hawkins (pp. 160-164, items 58-60) illustrates three examples with similar cases to the present clock, although with slight variations to the engraving.
A comparable strut clock by Vasel, retailed by London and Ryder, was sold anonymously, Christie's London, 14 June 2000, lot 4.