Miniature Single Fusee Bracket Clock By William Johnson, Strand, London

An extremely small single fusee bracket clock in a scalloped mahogany case. The eight day movement having a half deadbeat escapement with a T bar pendulum with hold fast, is beautifully made and of particularly fine quality, signed “Wm Johnson Strand London” on the back plate and dial. The half deadbeat escapement was often used by high quality english makers such as Grimalde & Johnson and Vulliamy. The 3 inch silvered dial, framed by a gilded engine bezel, has fine blued steel pierced heart hands.

The unusual case veneered in mahogany in the form of a stylalised scallop shell supported on foliate scroll work forming the feet.

William Johnston is first recorded in partnership with Peter Grimalde between 1815 and 1825, before setting out on his own, Grimalde & Johnston were celebrated precision chronometer makers, Johnson continued to work in the same style and vein at 50 The Strand until 1851, and was famed for his diminutive bracket clocks, examples of Johnsons work can be found in the Greenwich Royal Observatory Collection.

Date 1830’s

“Britten’s Old Clock & Watches, and Their Makers” 1982 edition

“The Georgian Bracket Clock 1714-1830” Richard Barber 2001 edition

22cm H by 14cm W x 10cm D