A Victorian mahogany skeletonised longcase regulator attributed to John Smith & Son, London, circa 1860

12¼-inch engraved silvered skeltonised dial with outer minutes ring enclosing seconds and hours dials, signed along the lower edge Hills, Sudbury on plaques covering the signature E Thurmott, Colchester, the movement with circular brass backplate, six-spoke wheels with very high count train, deadbeat escapement with jewelled pallets and jewelled pivot holes, maintaining power and decorative pulley, the separately suspended mercury pendulum with roller suspension, incorporating beat adjustment and facetted jar, the case with shallow arch cresting carved with stylised leaves, glazed trunk with fluted Corinthian columns at each corner, breakfront plinth with gadrooned mouldings, the interior with crisply carved flower swag, the whole constructed from well figured wood of rich colour

Sold in these rooms 19th December 2000, Lot 300

F.B. Royer-Collard Skeleton Clocks, N.A.G. Press 2nd Edition 1981
Jane Freeman, Janine Wiedel Faces with Voices pg. 56, Richard Castell Publishing 1992
This regulator was discussed and illustrated in Antiquarian Horological Journal, March 1970

Skeleton dial has slight distortion to the outer minute ring between 60 and 5, silvering slightly discoloured. Movement is complete and looks as though it would run but is very much in need of a clean, the mercury from the pendulum has been decanted into two plastic jars with screw tops. Case in generally good condition with a few old veneer cracks and minor losses particularly to the base. With pendulum, brass-cased weight, winder and case key.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

This fine regulator was used as the shop regulator at Hills of Sudbury, the well respected jewellers, watchmakers and clockmakers which was founded in 1818 by George Dawson and acquired by Benjamin Hills in 1830. Records of all transactions were kept meticulously from January 1st 1830 until June 2000 when the business ceased trading. The dial on the the regulator is applied with two silvered plaques signed Hills, Sudbury which cover the signature E Thurmott, Colchester. The regulator must have been supplied by John Smith & Son to Edward Thurmott who was in business at 14 High Street, Colchester between 1863 and 1869. It seems likely that Joseph Hills, the son of Benjamin, bought the regulator when Edward Thurmott's business closed and placed it in his shop at Friars Street, Sudbury where it continued to do service for the next one hundred and thirty years.