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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Table clock

Justin Vulliamy George III Table Clock

Partially verified

According to dealer Tobias Birch, this small George III table clock dates to circa 1765 and is signed by clockmaker Justin Vulliamy of London. The case is constructed from ebonised fruitwood on oak with an inverted bell top, brass carrying handle, and brass block feet. The rear view shows an open glazed door exposing a brass backplate engraved with floral flourishes and signed 'Justn Vulliamy London' within an oval cartouche. The movement features a bell, striking hammer, drop-down pendulum holdfast, and verge escapement reported by the source.

Rear view of the George III table clock by Justin Vulliamy, showing the engraved backplate, bell, and pendulum.
Rear view of the George III table clock by Justin Vulliamy, showing the engraved backplate, bell, and pendulum. — Tobias Birch. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.tobiasbirch.com
Category
Clock · Table clock
Maker / attribution
Justin Vulliamy
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Circa 1765
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

Identity and Provenance

Described by dealer Tobias Birch as a fine, small George III table clock dating to circa 1765, the timepiece is attributed to clockmaker Justin Vulliamy of London. The backplate features an engraved signature recorded in the source as "Just' Vulliamy London".

According to the source documentation, the clock was owned for thirty years by David G. Vulliamy. The dealer states that it was illustrated in his publication, Vulliamy Clockmakers, on page 11, figure 4.

Evidence for this section
  • “Fine, small George III table clock. Circa 1765”
  • “Floral engraved backplate with finely engraved signature Just' Vulliamy London.”
  • “Owned for thirty years by David G Vulliamy who illustrated it in his book, Vulliamy Clockmakers. P.11 Fig 4.”

Case Construction and Observed Rear Features

The case is described by the source as ebonised fruitwood on oak featuring a shallow inverted bell top, a brass carrying handle, sound frets, fine mouldings surrounding glazed apertures, and brass block feet.

Observation of the provided rear-aspect image shows an open rear glazed door revealing an engraved brass backplate signed within an oval cartouche. A polished brass bob pendulum with a suspension rod is visible centered over the plate, with a drop-down pendulum holdfast, movement-securing brass brackets, and a bell mounted at the top with an adjacent hammer arm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ebonised fruitwood on oak having a shallow inverted bell top case with a brass carrying handle and sound frets. Fine mouldings surround the glazed apertures.”
  • “Standing on brass block feet.”
  • “Open rear glazed door showing an engraved brass backplate signed 'Justn Vulliamy London' within an oval cartouche.”
  • “A bell positioned above the movement plates with a visible striking hammer arm.”

Reported Movement and Front Dial Attributes

The movement is described by the dealer as a substantial five-pillar movement with verge escapement, striking the hours on a bell, and fitted with a drop-down pendulum holdfast. These internal wheelwork details and escapement configuration are not directly visible behind the backplate in the rear image.

The front dial is not shown in the available photograph but is reported by the source as a break-arch brass dial with pierced blued steel hands and a main enamel chapter ring with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals enclosed by rococo spandrels. The arch is described as having enamel subsidiary chapters for rise-and-fall pendulum adjustment and strike/silent, flanked by a maker signature recorded as "Just' Vulliamy, London".

Evidence for this section
  • “Substantial five pillar movement with verge escapement. Striking the hours on a bell.”
  • “Drop down pendulum holdfast.”
  • “Break arch brass dial with enamel subsidiary chapters to the arch for rise and fall pendulum adjustment and strike silent. Between these is the makers signature, signed Just' Vulliamy, London.”
  • “The main enamel chapter with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals enclosed by rococo spandrels. Pierced blued steel hands.”

Open research questions

  • What is the condition and visual appearance of the break-arch front dial, pierced hands, and rococo spandrels, which are not visible in the rear photograph?
  • Does physical inspection of the internal movement confirm the survival of the original five-pillar layout and verge escapement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Justin Vulliamy George III Table Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case materialEbonised fruitwood on oak“Ebonised fruitwood on oak having a shallow inverted bell top case”
EscapementVerge escapement“Substantial five pillar movement with verge escapement.”
Striking mechanismHours on a bell“Striking the hours on a bell.”
Height14 inches (35.5 cm)“Height 14 inches (35.5 cm)”
ProvenanceDavid G. Vulliamy collection“Owned for thirty years by David G Vulliamy who illustrated it in his book, Vulliamy Clockmakers. P.11 Fig 4.”
Front dial signatureJust' Vulliamy, London“Between these is the makers signature, signed Just' Vulliamy, London.”

Visible details

  • Open rear glazed door showing an engraved brass backplate signed 'Justn Vulliamy London' within an oval cartouche.
  • A polished brass bob pendulum with a suspension rod centered over the backplate and secured near the base.
  • A bell positioned above the movement plates with a visible striking hammer arm.
  • Brass carrying handle mounted atop the ebonised inverted bell top case.
  • Brass bracket brackets securing the movement to the case sides, and brass block feet under the plinth base.

Research qualifications

  • The front break-arch enamel dial, pierced blued steel hands, and sound frets are reported by the source but not visible in this rear-aspect image.
  • Internal wheelwork, verge escapement, and five-pillar configuration are largely hidden behind the engraved backplate.

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

Consulted source

Justin Vulliamy bracket table clock - Tobias Birch

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8b127302f1

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

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