31924   Thos. Cole, London.  SOLD.

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The finely chased and engraved gilt-brass arch topped case with swivel foot, hinged rear strut and collapsible handle, the rear having an engraved border to the top panel with hinged cover to the escapement, signed HUNT & ROSKELL LONDON.

The silvered dial decorated with leaf scrolls and foliage also signed HUNT & ROSKELL LONDON, having Roman numerals and blued steel fleur de lys hands with a recessed moon phase aperture, thermometer to the right and a calendar below with rotating roller showing days-of-the week.

The eight-day duration going barrel movement with Cole’s uncut balance. This is the only recorded strut clock of this form with three subsidiary features, and is one of the earliest examples retailed by Hunt & Roskell; retaining its original gilding and perfect silvering to the dial.

The original box with dark blue velvet interior and covered in brown leather.

Height: 7 ¼ inches (18.5 cm).
Width: 5 inches (10.75 cm).
Depth: ¾ inch (2 cm).

Thomas Cole was born in 1800, the son of James, a clockmaker. Thomas went into partnership with his brother, James Ferguson Cole, around 1823 until 1829. The Great Exhibition of 1851 has Thomas listed as ‘Inventor, Designer and Maker’. He was elected to the Royal Society of Arts on 28th June 1861 and was also admitted to the British Horological Institute in which his eminent brother played a leading role. He was awarded a medal for ‘Excellence of Taste and Design’ at the International Exhibition of 1862 and the jury, led by Charles Frodsham, had nothing but praise in their official report. Thomas Cole died on 3rd January, 1864.

Further details can be found in ‘Thomas Cole & Victorian Clockmaking’ by J. B. Hawkins.