Clock · Wall timepiece

A 19th century mahogany wall timepiece, Higgs & Evans

Partially verified

According to the auction catalogue, this 19th-century wall timepiece features a mahogany surround measuring 39 cm in height. The 12-inch painted dial is signed 'HIGGS & EVANS' above center and 'London' in script below, featuring black Roman numerals alongside an outer Arabic five-minute track. Bonhams reports that it is powered by a brass four-pillar single-fusee movement with a verge escapement and retains a cast-iron false plate signed 'Wilkes & Co'. The lot was documented as including a brass bob pendulum, case key, and winder.

Dial and mahogany surround of the 19th-century wall timepiece signed Higgs & Evans London — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bonhams.com
Category: Clock · Wall timepiece
Maker / attribution: Higgs & Evans
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 157
Source-reported date: 19th century
Country: United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Exterior Form

The timepiece is catalogued as a 19th-century mahogany wall timepiece with a height of 39 cm. Direct visual examination shows a circular molded dark wood case, identified in the text as mahogany, fitted with a brass bezel surrounding the dial.

The auction lot notes that the clock is accompanied by a brass bob pendulum, a case key, and a winder. However, these specific accessories are not visible in the provided frontal image.

Evidence for this section

“A 19th century mahogany wall timepiece the dial signed Higgs & Evans London, the cast iron false plate signed Wilkes & Co”
“Circular molded dark wood (mahogany) case fitted with a brass bezel.”
“with brass bob pendulum, case key and winder, 39cm high”

Dial Inscriptions and Layout

The dial is described in the catalogue as a 12-inch painted signed dial with Roman numerals and an outer Arabic track. Observation confirms a cream-white painted dial with black Roman hour numerals and an outer track divided into Arabic five-minute numerals, accompanied by decorative pierced metal hands and a winding aperture located between the center arbor and the IIII/V position.

The dial features two distinct inscriptions: 'HIGGS & EVANS' painted horizontally beneath XII, and 'London' set inside an ornamental oval flourish directly above VI.

Evidence for this section

“the 12" painted signed dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic track”
“Cream-white painted dial displaying black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer track with Arabic five-minute divisions.”
“Dial inscribed 'HIGGS & EVANS' horizontally below the XII and 'London' inside an oval flourish above the VI.”

Movement and False Plate Details

According to Bonhams, the movement is a brass four-pillar single-fusee mechanism fitted with a verge escapement. The lot title and description further record a cast-iron false plate signed 'Wilkes & Co'.

Because internal components are concealed behind the dial in the single frontal image, the reported verge escapement, four-pillar brass construction, single-fusee drive, and false plate signature cannot be independently confirmed from the photograph alone.

Evidence for this section

“the brass four pillar single fusee movement with verge escapement”
“the cast iron false plate signed Wilkes & Co”

Open research questions

Does the cast-iron false plate signed 'Wilkes & Co' correspond with dial-makers active in the period, and how does it relate to the Higgs & Evans dial signature?
Does internal inspection of the brass movement confirm that the verge escapement is original rather than an altered or reconverted mechanism?
Are there any secondary production marks, repair stamps, or serial inscriptions on the reverse of the dial or movement plates?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A 19th century mahogany wall timepiece, Higgs & Evans
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Dial Signature	Higgs & Evans London	“the dial signed Higgs & Evans London”
False Plate Signature	Wilkes & Co	“the cast iron false plate signed Wilkes & Co”
Movement	Brass four pillar single fusee movement with verge escapement	“the brass four pillar single fusee movement with verge escapement”
Dial	12-inch painted signed dial	“the 12" painted signed dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic track”
Dimensions	39cm high	“39cm high”
Accompaniments	Brass bob pendulum, case key, and winder	“with brass bob pendulum, case key and winder”

Visible details

Circular molded dark wood (mahogany) case fitted with a brass bezel.
Cream-white painted dial displaying black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer track with Arabic five-minute divisions.
Dial inscribed 'HIGGS & EVANS' horizontally below the XII and 'London' inside an oval flourish above the VI.
Decorative pierced steel or blued metal hands centered on the dial arbor.
Single winding aperture located between the center arbor and the IIII/V position.

Research qualifications

Internal four-pillar single-fusee movement, verge escapement, and Wilkes & Co false plate are not visible in the provided front photograph.
Accessories mentioned in the description (brass bob pendulum, case key, and winder) are not shown in the image.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : A 19th century mahogany wall timepiece the dial signed Higgs & Evans London, the cast iron false plate signed Wilkes & Co

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 59fcef3afd

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.