This case with a fine watch was purchased at a Southeby's Auction many
years ago for $3500. If one did not know better you would think it is a
clock, missing the movement. The case is extensively decorated with tor-
toiseshell and brass figures large and small. There are a pair of brass birds
on top, and two large characters holding a horn of plenty on the sides.
Their arms, heads, and feet, are mother of pearl. On top is a cast eagle,
four cast feet on the bottom, and the brass ring around the opening. On
the back is a wood hinged door allowing access to place the watch in the
window. Holding the watch in place is a thick pillow that is part of the
back door. The case is 12" high, 8" wide at the bottom. The watch also is
very different. It is small, bowed glass, bowed porcelain dial that is 1¼",
hour Roman numerals, minutes are Arabic, and nice small brass hands.
Watch key winds thru the back. It has a chain fusee movement, very fancy
filigreed open designs over the back plate, and is signed, "Fearon & Stacy
/ London / 201", on the back plate. It appears to have a crown wheel
escapement and there is a small dial on the back place with Roman
numerals one thru six, that I suspect is the slow-fast adjuster. You watch
collectors will know, I do not, but under the fancy filigree pieces is a three
arm balance. It looks like the large wind machine paddles on the
California mountains. The watch may alarm, if so I cannot figure out how.
The little watch fits into a very ornate hinged (case) holder that is covered
with a tortoiseshell like material. Inside, against the back, are watch
papers put there over the years by repair shops. I will not remove them for
fear of tearing them, but the top one has the name, "H. Vernon / Watch and
Clock Maker / Narrowgate Street / Alnwick". ($3500) $1500-$2500.
onyx case is 4½" by 3¼", silver border
around the case, silver applied orna-
ments, silver sash, silver easel stand
(unusual) and silver watch/clock case,
all with silver hallmarks. It has a slight-
ly bowed glass over the outstanding
porcelain dial, and even more outstand-
ing gold hands. As previously stated this
large group of clock were all serviced as
they were bought, and were running. I
wound this one but it does not want to
run. The movement is key wind and key
set thru holes in the case back. I see no
name on the dial or case, only the hall-
marks. A beautiful little clock. ($1100)
$500-$750.
ring screwed to the top is 3" wide and marked with Roman numerals for the
hours, and Arabic numbers for the minutes. An alarm ring in the center is 1
original. I notice in researching table clocks, some had one hand; perhaps the
second hand on this clock is to set the alarm. I see no other way it can be set.
The hexagonal case is engraved with simple designs. There are six glass pan-
els revealing the movement, and the case rests on three large feet. A large sil-
ver bell is situated underneath. The base with bell attached is hinged and
swings away revealing a delicate filigreed brass piece over the balance. The
brass filigree piece and three arm balance are almost identical to that seen on
the watch, No.341, above. Three paddles like the wind machines in California.
There are four winding posts, one is to adjust slow-fast, one for time, one for
strike, and one for the alarm. The alarm and strike hammers are shaped like
fish. The plate where those things are situated is signed with the name we used
on the first line. In the old reference books he is listed as, "Franz Kranz,
Warschau". What I see thru the glass panels is a crown wheel escapement,
chain fusee around two spools that runs the time train, (chain is partially off
the spools, may be broken, not sure) and at least two other enclosed barrels, I
would speculate for the strike and alarm. These table clocks, made in the mid
1600's, do not appear often, this is only our second in 30 years. This clock was
bought at Southeby's many years ago. ($4000) $5000-$7500.