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Sold for: £34
A novelty cast iron blinker mantel clock styled as a nineteenth-century clock peddler. The figure is constructed from polychrome painted cast iron, depicted wearing a red tailcoat, a black top hat, and grey breeches, standing upon a tiered rectangular black base. The clock face is situated on the figure’s torso and features a white ground decorated with polychrome floral motifs in the corners and a central red circular band. The dial displays black Roman numerals and is fitted with ornate black-painted metal hands. A front-facing pendulum is suspended between the figure’s legs. The reverse of the figure features a decorative cast-in relief of a clock face with Roman numerals, which is part of the casting and non-functional. The mechanical movement is accessed from the rear. The underside of the cast iron base shows two mounting screws and a protruding rod, but no legible maker’s marks, country-of-origin stamps, or serial numbers are present. This piece is designed as a blinker clock, where the eyes are intended to move in synchronisation with the pendulum.
Condition report:
The clock shows signs of age and wear consistent with use. There is significant paint loss and chipping throughout the cast iron case, notably on the brim of the black hat (photo 1), the edges of the red tailcoat (photo 2), and the corners of the base (photo 2). A visible horizontal casting seam or crack is present across the back of the figure\'s neck (photo 2). The dial plate exhibits minor yellowing and surface wear to the printed floral decoration. The mechanical movement and the synchronised blinking eye mechanism are untested and the working order is unknown.
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