DESCRIPTION:
Thomas Cole, for Hunt & Roskell, London, an exceptional, and possibly unique, mid 19th century, three sided vitrine form desk compendium, the base consisting of three pairs of cabriole legs joined by an elaborate, engraved stretcher, supporting a triangular cabinet with canted corners and engraved, arabesque panels beneath the pyramid case with engraved, naturalistic ornament and glazed apertures displaying the time, temperature, and manual perpetual calendar, gilt, engraved, roman numeral dial with blued steel fleur de lis hands, the thermometer with engraved plate and fahrenheit/ reaumur scales, and the calendar also with beautifully engraved background, a semicircular aperture below the date grid displaying days of the week, all below a scalloped reserve signed "Hunt & Roskell London", the whole surmounted by a seated putto with a bird perched on his upraised arm, the case with Cole's secret signature, 8 day timepiece movement with large barrel mounted at 90 degrees to the round, watch style movement with cut bimetallic balance and lever escapement, the power transmitted by an intermediate contrate wheel
CONDITION:
surface a bit dirty, minor losses to gilding, one decorative screw holding a triangular panel to the left of the dial replaced, dial, calendar, and scale painted figures original, minor wear to day of week ring, movement will run briefly, needs service. No serial number visible on any easily accessed surface.
ESTIMATE:
$10000
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$15000
PRICE SOLD:
$17500
CIRCA: 1855
DIMENSIONS: 9.5in x 4in x 3.25in
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