A RARE AND UNUSUAL GILT BRASS TRIPOD CLOCK WITH BAROMETER AND THERMOMETER

Surmounted by a bracket, stamped to the upper side 70 1858, with small suspended silvered sphere for levelling, above three cylindrical arms, supporting the 6in silvered and engraved dial, signed Phillips 23 Cockspur St, above the XII, with seconds subsidiary below and blued steel hands, the movement with deadbeat escapement and wheels of five crossings, stamped to the base of the backplate 70 / 1858, the pendulum with silvered sphere bob, above circular engraved stepped base, inset with an aneroid barometer dial and angled thermometer scale, with Cole’s pendulum locking plate, together with glass dome

The clock 51cm high

PROVENANCE: 
Jack Henley (according to paper label attached to the backplate)
Cyril Fish, thence by descent.

Thomas Cole (d. 1864) was a most innovative maker of clocks of singular design.  His life and work are discussed in John Hawkins' work Thomas Cole & Victorian Clockmaking, Sydney, 1975.  He illustrates a virtually identical tripod clock by Cole, item 40, page 115.

The retailers of this clock are Phillips Brothers and they are recorded at 23 Cocksure Street 1856-69.  They exhibited in the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition in 1862.  Cole supplied them with his work.

Condition report

The clock is ticking and runs.  In good original condition.  The gilding is sharp and clean.  The movement may require a service (some oil run-off on lower part of backplate).  As stated it has its original key