Beschreibung:

A FINE ENGRAVED GILT BRASS STRUT TIMEPIECE IN THE MANNER OF THOMAS COLE W. VASEL FOR RETAIL BY CARRINGTON AND COMPANY, LONDON, CIRCA 1880 The Swiss-made circular eight-day three-quarter plate movement with lever escapement regulated by sprung bimetallic balance, the 2.75 inch wide silvered brass Roman numeral dial with fine symmetrical repeating Baroque cartouche and strapwork engraved horizontal line hatched centre within narrow Roman numeral chapter ring and with fine blued steel fleur-de-lys hands, the upper and lower margins engraved with foliate scrolls and floral motifs incorporating central raised shaped extensions of the gilt canted bezel further engraved with fan motifs to upper surfaces set behind bevelled oval front glass, the frosted gilt case with hinged lancet-shaped pendant applied to a leafy scroll panel engraved crest over repeating oval cartouche and leafy spray line-hatched decorated dial surround, the periphery with strapwork panel decoration, and the rear panel profiled to match the front and fitted with regulation shutter, hand setting screw, integral winding key, pivoted looped strut and engraved with the initials W.V. to upper margin; in original velvet lined gilt tooled Morocco protective easel case inscribed with CARRINGTON & CO., BY APPOINTMENT, 130 REGENT STREET, W. around the Royal crown to the cream silk-lined interior of each of the opening front panels.The timepiece 12.5cm (4.875ins) high with handle down, 9cm (3.5ins) wide, 2cm (0.75ins) deep; the leather case 17cm (6.75ins) high, 12.5cm (4.875ins) wide, 3.5cm (1.375ins) deep. Although not apparently listed in the usual sources W. Vasel was known as a fine maker who worked from several addresses in London from 1881-1907. Vasel appeared to specialise in continuing the production of high-quality decorative timepieces made popular by Thomas Cole who submitted several examples both under his name and on the stand of Hunt and Roskell at the Great Exhibition in 1851. Thomas Cole died abruptly of typhoid fever in 1864 no doubt leaving a 'gap' in the market for others to continue with the production of finely made timepieces in his style. The firm of retail Jewellers and silversmiths, Carrington and Company, was founded by John Bodman Carrington in 1873. They traded from 130 Regent Street, London, and in 1880 were incorporated as a Limited Company. The business became one of the leading silversmiths in London with John Bodman Carrington being appointed Prime Warden of the Goldsmith's Company in 1902. The firm continued trading throughout the 20th century until being acquired by Collingwood and Company in 1970. The present lot would appear to be the smaller variant of two timepieces made by William Vasel to this design. An example of the slightly larger model (with dial measuring 3.5 inches across), this time made by Vasel for retail by Hamilton and Inches of Edinburgh, was sold in these rooms 7th March 2023 (lot 114) for £3,200 hammer.