English Fusee Carriage Clock By Thomas Cole and James Fergusson Cole, Retailed By Caleb Elisha

An exceptional English fusee carriage clock timepeice by two of the nineteenth centuries greatest clock makers. The eight day single chain fusee movement with maintaining power and jewelled underslung English lever escapement, the back plate numbered 151. The movement is housed in a unique gilt case with unusual faceted feet and finials surmounted by a sprung cruciform finial. The case is undoubtedly the work of Thomas Cole the engraved panels depicting scenes from Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley novels, the figures contrasted with Cole’s unique horizontally lined background technique. The layered plate construction of the case with concave faceted columns is also typical the brothers’ period of collaboration. The silver engine turned dial with breguet style moon hands suggest the work of J.F. Cole as does the distinctive bridge on the back of the movement that gives extra strength to the mainspring and is documented in several other Cole clocks.

We believe this clock is unique the finial and key are a distinctive cross shape, the finial is ingeniously sprung so that if knocked it will not snap but yield and spring back into place (see video).

The Cole Brothers worked together supplying clocks to other retails after J.F. Cole narrowly avoided bankruptcy, their work was retailed by Garrards, James McCabe, Arnold and Dent, and Hunt and Roskell, in an attempt to get the brother’s out of debt. This clock was retailed by Caleb Elisha from his premises at 175 Piccadilly, London. Elisha is recorded as being clockmaker to HRH The Duke of York, sadly he is also documented as applying to the Court of Relief for Insolvent Debtors and sent to debtors prison on the 24th July 1839, which helps date this clock to between 1832 and 1839.

This early timepiece was made by the brothers between 1832 and 1839, their partnership lasted until 1848. The case the work of Thomas Cole and the movement by his older brother James Fergusson Cole. Recently published research by J.B.Hawkins has gone into great detail on how the brothers worked together showing their unique skills and techniques that has been extremely useful in researching this Phase I Type V Cole carriage clock.

JB Hawkins Survey of Cole Clocks Part 1

14cm H x 8.3cm W x 6.2cm D