Jean Hyacinthe de Magellan, London The dial: 7.75 inch one-piece silvered circular dial with outer Arabic minute track intersected by a subsidiary dial for running seconds with counterpoised hand, engraved with bold observatory marks at five second intervals, the hours shown in an upward-curving aperture at the 6 o'clock position shown by roman numerals and with an engraved human hand (complete with shirt cuff), signed in a fine, flowing script J.H. de Magellan invt. & fieri Curavit ('Took care that it be made') held via four L-shaped brass brackets screwed through the substantial cast bronze bezel, (the side of the bezel stamped with a foundry mark consisting of a pair of Cs between scales) The movement: the weight driven movement with tall shouldered plates united by four substantial knopped pillars pinned to the frontplate, the lower pillars each with a vertical threaded hole to accept the securing bolts running through from the underside of the seatboard, but also sporting another horizontal threaded hole to each side of the knop (possibly to lock the movement in position in its original case?). Furthermore, each plate is cast with a mortice in each lower corner (again, indicative of the original location system), with Harrison's maintaining power and deadbeat escapement, (the 'scape wheel of five crossings) the pallets inset with polished steel pads (holes to each side suggest that these were originally pinned in position). The pallet arbor with front pivot set in a keyhole shaped endstop, the rear pivot set in an adjustable dovetail slide secured with a screw, a larger shouldered plate carrying three endstops for the second, third and 'scape rear pivots, a smaller keyhole-shaped plate providing endstop for the greatwheel. The concentric minute hand driven from the third wheel with an extended front pivot with a pinion driving an independent central wheel. The central wheel with a pinion driving the hour dial. The steel crutch terminating in a heavy brass fork, (with evidence of the crutch having been extended) to the substantial later gridrion pendulum constructed of eleven alternating bars of brass and steel (six brass, five steel) terminating in a large lenticular bob and knurled rating nut, the movement driven by a tall cylindrical brass-clad weight. The case: now contained in a custom-made, 19th century French, ormolu-mounted, mahogany floor-standing case, decorated with a cast egg and dart cornice over an ormolu-framed long glazed door to reveal the pendulum and weight, to a panelled base with applied mounts and plinth. Accompanying the lot are four turned feet, (two with ormolu collars) that may be contemporary with the rest of the case. 181cms (5ft 11ins) high. With bun feet, 189cms (6ft 2ins).
Jean Hyacinthe de Magellan, London The dial: 7.75 inch one-piece silvered circular dial with outer Arabic minute track intersected by a subsidiary dial for running seconds with counterpoised hand, engraved with bold observatory marks at five second intervals, the hours shown in an upward-curving aperture at the 6 o'clock position shown by roman numerals and with an engraved human hand (complete with shirt cuff), signed in a fine, flowing script J.H. de Magellan invt. & fieri Curavit ('Took care that it be made') held via four L-shaped brass brackets screwed through the substantial cast bronze bezel, (the side of the bezel stamped with a foundry mark consisting of a pair of Cs between scales) The movement: the weight driven movement with tall shouldered plates united by four substantial knopped pillars pinned to the frontplate, the lower pillars each with a vertical threaded hole to accept the securing bolts running through from the underside of the seatboard, but also sporting another horizontal threaded hole to each side of the knop (possibly to lock the movement in position in its original case?). Furthermore, each plate is cast with a mortice in each lower corner (again, indicative of the original location system), with Harrison's maintaining power and deadbeat escapement, (the 'scape wheel of five crossings) the pallets inset with polished steel pads (holes to each side suggest that these were originally pinned in position). The pallet arbor with front pivot set in a keyhole shaped endstop, the rear pivot set in an adjustable dovetail slide secured with a screw, a larger shouldered plate carrying three endstops for the second, third and 'scape rear pivots, a smaller keyhole-shaped plate providing endstop for the greatwheel. The concentric minute hand driven from the third wheel with an extended front pivot with a pinion driving an independent central wheel. The central wheel with a pinion driving the hour dial. The steel crutch terminating in a heavy brass fork, (with evidence of the crutch having been extended) to the substantial later gridrion pendulum constructed of eleven alternating bars of brass and steel (six brass, five steel) terminating in a large lenticular bob and knurled rating nut, the movement driven by a tall cylindrical brass-clad weight. The case: now contained in a custom-made, 19th century French, ormolu-mounted, mahogany floor-standing case, decorated with a cast egg and dart cornice over an ormolu-framed long glazed door to reveal the pendulum and weight, to a panelled base with applied mounts and plinth. Accompanying the lot are four turned feet, (two with ormolu collars) that may be contemporary with the rest of the case. 181cms (5ft 11ins) high. With bun feet, 189cms (6ft 2ins).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
