Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy Fusee Mantel Clock, No. 1874

Partially verified

This compact mantel timepiece by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy of London features an ebonised waisted wooden case ornamented with regilded ormolu mounts displaying foliate scrolls and flowerheads. According to the source, the solid silver dial measures 3½ inches across, incorporating an engine-turned centre, Roman hour numerals, and blued steel moon hands. The source reports that it is powered by a single chain fusee movement with a half deadbeat escapement and an original numbered pendulum, signed and numbered 1874.

Front view of the ebonised and gilt-mounted mantel clock showing the signed silvered dial
Front view of the ebonised and gilt-mounted mantel clock showing the signed silvered dial — Carlton Clocks. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.ukclocks.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy
Reference
BHVul
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1850
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
1874

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 Construction and Ornamentation

The clock is housed in an ebonised wood waisted case measuring 26 cm (10 1/4 inches) in height. Visible mounts flank the waist and base, and the dealer describes these as newly regilded ormolu mounts featuring cast foliate scrolls and flowerheads to each of the four corners.

The vendor notes that this waisted case style was used multiple times by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, citing a boullework example numbered 1896 and another example sold at Sotheby's in 2010 bearing serial number 1910.

Evidence for this section
  • “The ebonised wood waisted case is mounted with newly regilded ormolu mounts with well cast foliate scrolls and flowerheads to each of the four corners.”
  • “Height 26cm (10 1/4″)”
  • “This case style was used several times by Benjamin Lewis – we have sold an identical clock decorated with boullework, serial number 1896, an another was sold by Sothebys in 2010 , serial number 1910.”

Dial Configuration and Hands

The source describes a signed solid silver 3½-inch dial fitted with an engine-turned centre and what the dealer identifies as original blued steel moon hands.

Visual inspection confirms the dial has an engine-turned centre, Roman hour numerals, and an outer dotted minute track. The dial is signed 'VULLIAMY' to the left of XII and 'LONDON' to the right of XII, with a single winding square positioned above VI.

Evidence for this section
  • “The signed solid silver 3½-inch dial has an engine-turned centre with original blued steel moon hands.”
  • “Circular silver dial featuring engine turning at the centre, Roman hour numerals, and an outer dotted minute track”
  • “Blued steel moon-pattern hands with a single winding aperture situated above VI”
  • “Signed 'VULLIAMY' and 'LONDON' on either side of XII”

Movement Details and Serial Number Inconsistency

The movement is documented by the seller as a single chain fusee mechanism with a half deadbeat escapement, signed and numbered 'VULLIAMY 1874', with an associated numbered pendulum. Internal movement components and pendulum markings are not visible in the provided photograph.

A discrepancy exists in the dealer's text regarding the serial number: while the opening description and movement details report number 1874, the dating discussion references 'the present clock No. 1897' when estimating a date around 1850 based on Roger Smith's 1994 Vulliamy numbering study. The dealer also notes that the movement was photographed prior to servicing.

Evidence for this section
  • “The single chain fusee movement is also signed and numbered, VULLIAMY 1874 with half deadbeat escapement, to the original numbered pendulum.”
  • “A fine mantel timepiece of small proportions by Vulliamy, London, numbered 1874.”
  • “Using this information the present clock No. 1897 would appear to be one of the last clocks made by the Vulliamy family, dating from around 1850.”
  • “The movement is photographed before servicing.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement plate and pendulum display serial number 1874 or 1897 upon physical inspection?
  • What specific alterations or cleaning were executed during the pre-sale servicing mentioned by the seller?
  • Do entries exist in surviving British Horological Institute Vulliamy ledgers or subsequent records corresponding to this serial number?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy Fusee Mantel Clock, No. 1874
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material and mountsEbonised wood with newly regilded ormolu mounts“The ebonised wood waisted case is mounted with newly regilded ormolu mounts with well cast foliate scrolls and flowerheads to each of the four corners.”
Dial description3½-inch solid silver dial with engine-turned centre“The signed solid silver 3½-inch dial has an engine-turned centre with original blued steel moon hands.”
Movement typeSingle chain fusee with half deadbeat escapement“The single chain fusee movement is also signed and numbered, VULLIAMY 1874 with half deadbeat escapement, to the original numbered pendulum.”
Height26 cm (10 1/4 inches)“Height 26cm (10 1/4″)”
Dealer referenceBHVul“Ref: BHVul”
Maker company contextBenjamin Lewis Vulliamy was Master of the Clockmakers' Company five times before dying in 1854“He became Free of the Clockmakers Company in 1809 and was Master five times before his death in 1854.”

Visible details

  • Waisted ebonised case flanked by gilt foliate scroll mounts and rosettes
  • Circular silver dial featuring engine turning at the centre, Roman hour numerals, and an outer dotted minute track
  • Blued steel moon-pattern hands with a single winding aperture situated above VI
  • Signed 'VULLIAMY' and 'LONDON' on either side of XII

Research qualifications

  • The source text mentions serial number 1874 in multiple places but also inadvertently references 'No. 1897' in the dating paragraph
  • Internal movement and pendulum are not visible in the provided photograph

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

Consulted source

1850s Fusee Mantel Clock, Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy - Carlton Clocks

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 0437567e00

Terms in this record

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

Other mantel clock records