Live Auction 7841500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe
Christie’s roundel
Lot 132

A VICTORIAN GIANT EBONY WESTMINSTER-CHIMING EIGHT DAY CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH DENT'S SPLIT HANDLE

DENT, LONDON. LATE 19TH CENTURY

Closed29 April 2010

Price Realised

GBP 27,500

Considering selling a similar item?

Discover its value with a complimentary estimate from our specialists.

More Information

How to sell

A VICTORIAN GIANT EBONY WESTMINSTER-CHIMING EIGHT DAY CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH DENT'S SPLIT HANDLE
DENT, LONDON. LATE 19TH CENTURY
CASE: bevelled glasses to front and sides, rear door glass inset with gilt winding shutters, the top with Dent's nickel-plated split-recessed handle, this engraved 'Repeat' and 'Raise for Silence' for corresponding buttons nearby, formerly on feet DIAL: gilt engine-turned mask signed 'DENT/33 Cockspur Street/LONDON' on oval reserve, silvered dial with recessed seconds dial, Garter awards engraved 'TO H I M THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA AND TO HER MAJESTY', blued steel moon hands MOVEMENT: six double-screwed pillars, triple chain fusees, cut bimetallic lever balance to gilt platform escapement, Westminster chime on four gongs (notes stamped on each gong stand: G, F, E & D), hour strike on further gong; winding key
10 in. (25.5 cm.); 8¾ in. (22 cm.); 7½ in. (19 cm.) deep

Probably supplied to Sir Andrew Walker Bt. circa 1890 for the newly acquired Oswaston Manor, Derbyshire.
The property of Sir Peter Walker-Okeover, BT., Christie's London, 9 June 1999, lot 38.

Specialist note

Dent made some of the finest carriage clocks of the 19th Century. This highly unusual example amply demonstrates in the quality of its substantial construction the features which made the company pre-eminent. The split carrying handle, which folds flush to the top of the case, appears to be unique to Dent (see also lot 119, for an example signed E. White). No other comparably-cased Westminster chiming carriage clocks by Dent are recorded and it is possible that this clock was a special commission.