William Payne, New Bond Street, London



Circa 1825

£12,500

10 inches high

A handsome regency black marble and ormolu mounted mantel timepiece. CASE The case with stepped rectangular black marble plinth base supporting two finely cast and chased recumbent ormolu lions flanking the drum head movement casing surmounted by a resplendent ormolu eagle. DIAL The dial is framed by a gilt-metal hinged bezel with convex glass, gilt circular dial with black painted Roman chapters and dot minute markers, finely pierced blued steel heart-shaped hour and minute hands. MOVEMENT The movement has circular brass plates, four cylindrical pillars, chain fusee and spring barrel, anchor escapement. The backplate is signed Payne 163 New Bond Street above the pendulum holdfast. 10� inches (26cm.) high 11 inches (28cm.) wide 3� inches (9.5cm.) deep William Payne is listed working 1825-1851. Very little is known about Payne, but his clocks were always of consistently high quality. He made clocks of all descriptions but seems to have specialised in small pretty mantel clocks such as this example, and top quality carriage clocks. The present clock was clearly inspired by the successful range of very similar lion clocks that were being made by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy. The inspiration was born from England�s enormous military success following the final and decisive victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. The beautifully cast and chased ormolu lions symbolise the Might of Britain whist the resplendent eagle, with its wonderful detailed plumage, serves to emphasise England�s new-found dominance and all-powerful status in the world.

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