A fine George II period red walnut timepiece of rare small size.

The inverted bell-top case is surmounted by a finely knopped brass carrying handle and it stands on four wood block feet. The mouldings to the base and top are crisp and original and there is a well-cut sound fret in the door above XII. The elegant red walnut case has exceptional colour and patination.

The 5 inch square brass dial has crown and sceptre spandrels to the four corners and a silvered chapter ring with Arabic 5 minutes, Roman hour numerals and fleur de lys half-hour markers. Within the matted brass dial there is a chamfered date aperture below XII, a mock pendulum aperture and silvered alarm disc in the centre. The blued steel hands are finely wrought.

The 8-day timepiece movement has a restored crown wheel verge escapement and alarm work on a single bell. The backplate and backcock and alarm pulley are beautifully engraved with foliate scrolls and flowers and the dummy pendulum is also silvered and foliate engraved.

Height: 12 ¾ (32.5 cm) excluding handle
Width: 8 ½ in (21.5 cm)

* Ralph Threlkeld was born in 1686 in Brancepeth, Co. Durham. He was the nephew of Deodatus Threlkeld and, like his brother William, came to London but worked alone at the sign of the Oil Jar in the Strand 1728 – 1759. He was also a goldsmith.
Signed / Inscribed
R. Threlkeld London