Stock ref: DS1709

Circa 1930s

A superb rare oak Mantel Clock from the Kilburn workshop of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson inset with a  period 1920s /early 30s Smiths car clock with a hand wound mechanical movement.

Beautifully carved from a solid block of oak with carved oak leaves and acorns to either side of the clock, distinctive adzed tooling to all  visible surfaces and a very finely carved mouse signature  sitting prominenly on the centre top of the clock. It presents in the wonderfully rich, deep aged colour and patina that is seen on early Mouseman pieces.

We’ve discarded a non original battery clock movement that a previous owner had fitted, replacing it with the correct period wind up car clock that most  early mouseman mantel clocks were routinely fitted with when made. These clocks were produced by S Smith & Sons and were very poular aftermarket fitments in Austin, Morris, MG  and other cars produced in the late 20s and early 30s. An example of this clock design is on display at the V&A Museum, London. The clock is protected and fitted into a cased bowl, hinged to the front and allowing opening to the winder, hand adjuster and fast / slow time regulator. Nickel plated, the surround is 10.5cm dia, the bezel 9cm dia. and the metal dial is silvered with black arabic numerals.  The movement is a spring wound, lever escarpment. The dial is marked P 554038 together with the Smiths  trademark and address and the inner bowl still retains it’s original paper label with instructions for winding and time adjustment. It’s taken us some time to secure a clock in such excellent original condition, it has also been fully serviced and lubricated by our Horologist so is in full working order. Spare mechanical parts are also included for possible future use if ever required. 

See lot 1652, Tennants catalogue sale Nov 2009 for a Mouseman clock inset with a Smiths car clock and with the same craftsman’s mouse carving. Also Tennants lot 527 Mar 2017.

Size: 23.3(w) x 7(d) x 14.5(h)cm

Sold

{gallery}DS1709{/gallery}