A LACQUERED BRASS MINIATURE CONGREVE-TYPE ROLLING BALL TIMEP...

Estimate

£1,000 - £1,500

A LACQUERED BRASS MINIATURE CONGREVE-TYPE ROLLING BALL TIMEPIECEDEVON CLOCKS, EXMOUTH, No. 273 CIRCA 1985The five columnar-pillar movement with pediment-shaped pierced plates enclosing going barrel wheel train incorporating platform lever escapement regulated by sprung balance planted on the inside of the frontplate, and further twin going barrel train for driving the rolling ball platform tilt mechanism, the backplate stamped Devon Clocks, ENGLAND, No 273/500, the pierced dial panel matching the outline of the movement and applied with central white enamel Roman numeral chapter ring annotated with cruciform half hour markers and with blued steel hands, flanked by conforming smaller day-of-the week ring to the left opposing Arabic seconds to the right, the plates applied with lugs projecting forward and each end capped with turned spire finials aligned over four cast brass column uprights, supporting the movement above a shaped aluminium table balance set between central pivots and with zig-zag track for the rolling ball, with trip-release levers to enable the table to be tipped via motive power applied by crank drive from the movement at the end of each run of the ball down the track, on stepped brass plate set on original wooden plinth with three screw feet for level adjustment and with five-glass wooden-framed cover.24cm (9.5ins) high, 23cm (9ins) wide, 14.5cm (5.75ins) deep.Devon Clocks is the trade name for timepieces produced by Devon Instruments Ltd which was initially formed in 1946 as a commercial outlet for products and services emanating from the horological workshop at St. Loye's College, Exeter. Comprising mostly of individuals with a disability, over 85 people were employed in their heyday. In 1976 Devon Instruments acquired the business of Charles Frodsham Limited and continued in their tradition of producing mechanical clocks made to traditional designs. The present timepiece is inspired by the deign patented by William Congreve in 1808.