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31489C.C
JAMES MURRAY, ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDON. A FINE ENGLISH CARRIAGE TIMEPIECE WITH CALENDAR WORK. CIRCA 1820.

A very fine English carriage clock by this eminent chronometer maker. The case of extravagant and unusual form with buttressed corners and Corinthian columns. The top of the case finely chased and with chasing and applied cast motifs to the top and bottom borders. The clock has an opening front and rear door with extremely thick bevelled glass and an oval viewing window to the top, again with very thick bevelled glass. The case retains its original fire gilding and is of the finest quality. It is surmounted with a folding carrying handle with lotus leaf castings in the middle.

The silvered dials of the clock have beautifully engraved centres and are contained within a gilded and foliate engraved mask which is signed for the maker, ‘Murray, London.’ The two subsidiary dials at the bottom are for day of the week and date. There is a recessed seconds ring at 12 o’clock.

The eight day chain fusee movement has an under slung lever escapement with a beautifully engraved balance cock which has as part of its motif a grotesque face. This is also visible at the base of the engraving on the dial mask.

The backplate of the movement, which has a hand set button, is signed for the maker, ‘James Murray, Royal Exchange, London.’ The clock comes complete with a wooden carrying case.

Height to base of handle: 5½" (14 cms.)

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