A VERY UNUSUAL LATE VICTORIAN GILT BRASS MOUNTED WALNUT SMALL AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK Gillett, Croydon, circa 1900 The five pillar twin chain fusee movement with anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum, the strike train incorporating external fly with adjustable vanes and linkages for operating the automaton figure of Chronos mounted on top of the case who strikes a pivoted bell-hammer with a dumb bell in his left hand whilst turning his head and moving his wings along with each blow, the 4.5 inch arched gilt brass dial with geometric rosette engraved centre signed GILLETT, CROYDON to upper margin within silvered chapter ring applied with gilt vertical Arabic numerals and dot minutes to outer track, with pierced blued steel hands and generous foliate scroll cast and chased lower spandrels and conforming upper spandrels continuing to envelop the conforming rosette-centred subsidiary STRIKE/SILENT selection dial, the case with superstructure modelled as a rotunda cupola carved with shingle tiles and with orb finial over five gilt columns enclosing a bell with automaton figure of Chronos set beside an ogee platform to the right hand side, over ogee cornice and front door inset with brass fillet around the bevelled glass flanked by canted angles applied with gilt female terms, the sides with generous rectangular gilt frets each cast with a stylised vase of flowers, the rear with rectangular glazed door, on moulded skirt base with generous gilt scroll cast paw feet. 55cm (21.5ins) high, 27cm (10.5ins) wide, 19cm (7.5ins) deep. Provenance: The property of a private collector, north London; purchased at Martel Maides, Guernsey. The firm of Gillet and Company of Croydon can trace its roots back to the clockmaker William Gillett who moved from Hadlow, Kent, to Clerkenwell in 1837. In 1844 he relocated again, this time to Union Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854, and the company subsequently traded as Gillett & Bland. In 1877, Arthur A. Johnston (c.1851-1916) bought a partnership, and shortly afterwards extended the company's output by establishing a bell foundry. The business became known as Gillett, Bland & Co until Bland's death in c.1884, when the name was changed to Gillett & Co. During the First World War, the factory suspended its regular business and became involved in the manufacture of munitions, employing over 1,250 men and women. The firm became a limited liability company in 1925, initially trading as the Croydon Bell Foundry Ltd (although the name Gillett and Johnston still appeared on bells). It reverted to the name Gillett & Johnston Ltd in 1930. After going into receivership in 1857 the company was subsequently re-established and still trades today as clockmakers specialising in the maintenance and restoration of turret clocks. The current lot is highly unusual in having an automaton of Chronos for the hour striking mechanism set on top of the case. This coupled with the high quality finish and generous use of gilt brass mounts would suggest that it may have been a special order. Condition Report: The movement is in relatively clean working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or significant replacements. The strike train is a little lazy in its operation with the action of the figure being a little laboured hence some adjustment will be required to improve the action of the automaton. The figure has some wear/discolouration to the gilding and utilises aluminium castings for the wings - this was probably done by Gillett as aluminium is light weight hence allows easier operation of these relatively large elements of the automaton. The dial is in fine original condition with only very light mellowing to the silvering of the chapter ring and subsidiary strike/silent ring. The case is generally in fine original condition with faults limited to a very small veneer chip to the front door as well as some light shrinkage and minor age related blemishes. The gilt mounts retain their original strong gilding with only slight/minor wear/oxidation. Clock has a pendulum and winder but no case key. Condition Report Disclaimer