Muirhead & Arthur, Glasgow

Circa 1840

Sold

9 inches high

A very handsome bronze-mounted pollard oak mantel timepiece. CASE The high quality and well-proportioned case has a stepped top set with a beveled escapement viewing glass, arched glasses to the sides, the front of the case has canted angles with bronze stop-ends. The base has lovely fielded panels to the front and sides – each set with bronze-patinated fillets, the front angles are applied with elaborate-patinated bronze volutes whilst the moulded base is raised on bronze-patinated foliate scroll feet. DIAL The arched silvered dial has a Roman chapter ring with delicate heart-shaped hands and foliate engraved spandrels, the brass sight ring is signed at the base MUIRHEAD & ARTHUR: GLASGOW. MOVEMENT The high quality movement has thick brass shouldered plates with five vase-shaped pillars. Single chain fusee with spring barrel, adjustable pivot for the contrate wheel, escapement platform with escapement and plain gilt-metal balance wheel with unusual Y-shaped crossing Muirhead & Arthur were retailers, mainly of high quality silver but also clocks and watches, they had premises in St. Vincent Street, Glasgow and the 1840’s to the end of the 19th century. Judging by its high quality this mantel clock was most almost certainly made in London. The good quality movement with vase-shaped pillars and high quality platform combines well with the case with its rare pollard oak veneers and clever use of bronze mounts. Superficially this clock looks like many other fine four-glass clocks, but on closer inspection it is so much more than your average mantel clock!