Miniature English mantel timepiece – Viner, London

A very pretty diminutive English mantel clock in the rococo style.

The intricately cast ormolu case retains the original gilding.

The finely made 8-day timepiece movement has a very small pendulum on a silk suspension. The tapered plates are canted to the top corners and the movement has delicately cut wheels and a half deadbeat escapement. It is rare to find such a small clock with a pendulum movement, and the half deadbeat escapement was only used by elite clockmakers of Viner’s day, including Vulliamy.

The original arched gilt engine-turned dial has Roman numerals to the 2 ½ inch polished chapter ring, and is signed VINER LONDON.

The delicate blued steel moon hands are original.

Charles Edward Viner (1788-1879) was a respected watch, clock and chronometer maker. Apprenticed to Thomas Savage in 1802 he became a member of The Clockmakers Company in 1813 and was a Liveryman between 1819 and 1840. He traded from several London addresses, 233 Regent Street, 1 Royal Exchange and a retail outlet at 151 New Bond Street.

• Height: 16cms
• Width: 10cms
• Depth: 7cms