Vulliamy, London No. 1895 Boulle Mantel Timepiece
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1850
This antique English mantel timepiece is dated by the source to circa 1850 and signed by Vulliamy, London under movement number 1895. The waisted case is veneered in red tortoiseshell and inlaid with brass Boulle work, bordered by cast ormolu mounts with scroll-and-paw feet and a shell cresting.
The 3½-inch silvered dial features an engine-turned center, Roman numerals, and blued steel hands. The source reports an eight-day chain fusee movement with a steel rod pendulum and brass bob numbered 1895, as well as provenance linking it to the 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- Circa 1850
- Type
- Mantel clock
- Maker
- Vulliamy, London
- Height
- 9 3/4 inches, 25cm
- Dial Diameter
- 3½ inches
- Movement Type
- Eight-day chain fusee
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Movement Number
- 1895
- Maker / attribution
- Vulliamy, London
Design
- Visible features
- • Waisted gilt-brass and red tortoiseshell Boulle marquetry case surmounted by a shell finial. • Circular silvered dial with Roman numerals, outer minute track, and open-ring blued steel hands. • Ormolu foliate scroll mounts terminating in paw feet.
- Dial Configuration
- Direct observation reveals a circular silvered dial displaying Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and open-ring blued steel hands. The source lists the dial as a 3½-inch engine-turned dial. The source notes that the dial is signed 'Vulliamy, London'. In the front-facing photograph, an engine-turned center and the signature are partially visible but difficult to resolve in detail.
- Reported Movement and Pendulum
- The source states that the clock contains an eight-day chain fusee movement signed and numbered on the backplate 'Vulliamy, London 1895'. Regulation is reported to be provided by a steel rod pendulum with a brass bob numbered 1895. Because the case is closed in the visual record, internal movement components and serial markings remain unobserved.
- Reported Provenance and Markings
- The source links the clock's provenance to Patricia Edwina Victoria Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma (1924–2017), and suggests possible earlier ownership by Sir Norton Joseph Knatchbull, 10th Baronet (1808–1868). Additionally, the source records a paper label on the underside reading 'Hodges Bequest'. No further documentation of the bequest chain is provided in the source record.
- Case Construction and Ornamentation
- The timepiece is housed in a waisted case veneered in red turtleshell marquetry and inlaid with brass Boulle work. Visual observation confirms a waisted profile adorned with cast ormolu foliate scroll mounts along the sides and base terminating in paw feet, surmounted by a shell cresting. The source describes a rear door fitted with a pierced gilt fret engraved with a scroll and floral design. However, this rear door and fretwork are not visible in the provided frontal photograph.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1895
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Internal movement details, backplate signature, and rear pierced gilt door fret are not visible in this front view.