Small Ebonised Bracket Clock by Webster, London

A remarkably small bracket clock by Webster of Queen Victoria Street, London. The ebonised dome-top case is finely crafted and adorned with beautiful gilt brass mounts to the front corners, elegant cast finial to the top, and attractive decoration bordering the plinth, sitting on cast brass bracket feet. Ornamental brass plates with a lovely peacock blue silk backing to the sound frets at the sides, and a nice design to the rear door, similarly fashioned with blue silk, as well as matching panels to the top. The dial plate is brass with a fine silvered chapter ring and hand-matted dial centre, signed “Webster, 5 Queen Victoria St. London N.17733”, surrounded by floral gilt brass decorations with silvered strike-silent function to the arch, meaning the strike can be turned off at night! The 8-day twin fusee movement is in fully restored and in great condition, striking the hour and half hour on a mellow gong, complete with the original numbered winding key, which is particularly rare. William Webster founded the company in 1711 and ownership was passed down from father to son over the next two centuries, eventually to Richard Webster III, who moved the business to the new premises at 5 Queen Victoria Street in 1876. After the death of her husband in 1861, Queen Victoria famously wore black for the remainder of her life, and it became a very fashionable colour at the time, with many clocks made in this ebonised style. This clock would’ve been manufactured and retailed circa 1880, towards the end of the Victorian era. Dimensions listed are to the top of the finial.