Clockwork wonders exceed £20,000 at Lichfield auction

William Dutton of London wall clock and Gustave Vichy automaton

TWO clockwork wonders wound up excitement at a recent Lichfield auction.

Time really did fly for a clock by respected 18th century horologist William Dutton of London, sparking a bidding war to finally sell at £17,500.

Also going under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers on the same day was a late 19th century French musical automaton by one of the era’s premier master craftsmen.

‘The Mandolin Player’, circa 1890 by Paris-based Gustave Vichy (1839-1904), sold above estimate for £3,200.

From the same estate, both items were researched and catalogued for sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Fradley Park, following a Staffordshire house clearance.

The William Dutton of London mahogany cased drop dial wall clock sold over the internet for £17,500 following a battle with a telephone bidder.

“This was a well-deserved result for a beautiful timepiece by a renowned 18th century clockmaker,” said auctioneer Tom Winterton.

“We had some exciting scenes in the saleroom as bidders online and over the telephone battled it out, taking us to a fantastic final hammer price.”

A drop dial clock is a wall-mounted clock with a large round face at the top and an extra lower wooden case section called a drop box or trunk extending downward.

This lower case allows for a longer pendulum, which swings slower and keeps more accurate time than the short pendulums used in standard dial clocks.

Due to the pendulum’s more relaxed pace, the clock’s tick is also softer and calmer.

The William Dutton clock sold was also equipped with a single fusee movement – a highly precise mechanism designed to keep a wound clock ticking at steady speed from fully wound until the moment it runs down entirely.

The August 24 sale also featured the Gustave Vichy automaton.

Modelled as a musician or theatrical minstrel, the 79cm-tall painted papier-mâché composition is dressed in a burgundy velvet jacket and matching cap atop flowing dark hair.

The figure’s delicate features are enhanced by realistic glass eyes and even a row of white teeth is visible through the open mouth.

The elaborate octagonal Middle Eastern-style marquetry pedestal on which The Mandolin Player is seated encloses spring-driven automaton and cylinder musical box mechanisms.

“Vichy was one of the premier master craftsmen during the ‘Golden Age’ of French automata between 1848 and 1914 and his work is highly elite,” said cataloguer Nick Smith.

“He was internationally renowned for crafting extraordinarily precise body movements and his legendary work remains highly collectable, as shown by the wonderful result for this example which was ready for restoration.”

To arrange a free valuation of all types of antiques, collectables or jewellery, or to enquire about a home visit for large collections or house clearances, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or call 01543 251081.

Auctioneer Richard Winterton will also be at The Auction Café in Market Street, Lichfield, for drop-in valuations of antiques and collectables from 9.30am-12.30pm on Wednesday, September 9.