95th Auction
2017/5/6
Lot 238
Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, London, Movement No. 566, Height 300 mm, circa 1815
An important black marble and ormolu-mounted mantel clock
Case: black marble/ormolu. Dial: firegilt. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, 1 barrel, chain/fusee, anchor escapement, short pendulum numbered 566.
The case with stepped rectangular black marble plinth base supports the drum head movement casing surmounted by a resplendent ormolu eagle. The movement is flanked by moulded pilasters; the dial is framed by a firegilt ouroboros bezel. The gilt circular dial with engine-turned centre and Roman numerals has finely pierced blued steel heart-shaped hour and minute hands. The backplate is signed "Vulliamy, London 566".
Around 1815, different version of this type of grand pendulum clock with a resplendent eagle at the top were available; they were usually flanked by a pair of lions symbolising the dominant strength and power of Great Britain in the world. The design was inspired by the country’s great military success after the final victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.
Benjamin Lewis (Louis) Vulliamy (1780-1854) was a clockmaker who worked in Britain in the 18th and 19th century. He succeeded his father Benjamin Vulliamy as head of the firm and Clockmaker to the Crown.
The family was of Swiss origin. Benjamin Vulliamy’s ancestor Justin Vulliamy came to England in 1704 to study the construction of English clocks and watches under Benjamin Gray; he married Gray’s daughter and eventually took over his master's business at 68 Pall Mall.
Benjamin Lewis began his horological studies early. After taking over the company, he built clocks for a number of important buildings, including the victualling yard, Plymouth, Windsor Castle, churches at Norwood, Leytonstone, and Stratford, St. Mary's Church, and the University Press at Oxford, and the Cathedral of Calcutta.
Vulliamy was elected associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers on 13 March 1838, became auditor for the year 1842, and obtained in 1846 a premium of books for a paper on railway clocks. He was made free of the Clockmakers' Company on 4 Dec. 1809, admitted to the livery in January 1810, and held the office of master five times. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society on 14 Jan. 1831 and retained his connection with the society till his death.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Lewis_Vulliamy, as of 03/02/2017.
An important black marble and ormolu-mounted mantel clock
Case: black marble/ormolu. Dial: firegilt. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, 1 barrel, chain/fusee, anchor escapement, short pendulum numbered 566.
The case with stepped rectangular black marble plinth base supports the drum head movement casing surmounted by a resplendent ormolu eagle. The movement is flanked by moulded pilasters; the dial is framed by a firegilt ouroboros bezel. The gilt circular dial with engine-turned centre and Roman numerals has finely pierced blued steel heart-shaped hour and minute hands. The backplate is signed "Vulliamy, London 566".
Around 1815, different version of this type of grand pendulum clock with a resplendent eagle at the top were available; they were usually flanked by a pair of lions symbolising the dominant strength and power of Great Britain in the world. The design was inspired by the country’s great military success after the final victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.
Benjamin Lewis (Louis) Vulliamy (1780-1854) was a clockmaker who worked in Britain in the 18th and 19th century. He succeeded his father Benjamin Vulliamy as head of the firm and Clockmaker to the Crown.
The family was of Swiss origin. Benjamin Vulliamy’s ancestor Justin Vulliamy came to England in 1704 to study the construction of English clocks and watches under Benjamin Gray; he married Gray’s daughter and eventually took over his master's business at 68 Pall Mall.
Benjamin Lewis began his horological studies early. After taking over the company, he built clocks for a number of important buildings, including the victualling yard, Plymouth, Windsor Castle, churches at Norwood, Leytonstone, and Stratford, St. Mary's Church, and the University Press at Oxford, and the Cathedral of Calcutta.
Vulliamy was elected associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers on 13 March 1838, became auditor for the year 1842, and obtained in 1846 a premium of books for a paper on railway clocks. He was made free of the Clockmakers' Company on 4 Dec. 1809, admitted to the livery in January 1810, and held the office of master five times. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society on 14 Jan. 1831 and retained his connection with the society till his death.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Lewis_Vulliamy, as of 03/02/2017.
Sold
estimated
4.500—7.500 €
Price realized
5.300 €