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ID #SA1172285
FOR SALE
£1,750
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A Very Unusual Travel Clock in the Shape of a Prayer Book
Chalfont Clocks
for sale €2,048     $2,223
£1,750

Chalfont Clocks

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2021
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    Specialists in antique clocks and their restoration.
Id #SA1172285
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A Very Unusual Travel Clock in the Shape of a Prayer Book

19th century
For Sale by Chalfont Clocks
Description

Possible one of a kind travel clock in the shape of a purse or prayer book, with a false clasp and snap closure. This beautifully gilded object fits in the palm of your hand and is incredibly tactile. Opened with the push of a button the case unfolds to reveal a sharply engraved interior with a faux book insert that houses a small watch movement behind a silvered and engraved roman dial. The back signed Leuchars, 38 Picadilly London, with winding and setting squares as well as an aperture for balance regulation.

Leuchars were specialists in Luxury items and bijouterie in the 19th Century. Started by James Leuchars at 47 Piccadilly, London in 1794. In 1820, the business moved to 38 Piccadilly shortly before James Leuchars died in 1823.

Lucy Leuchars, James’ widow, continued the business under the name of L. Leuchars. In 1837, the same year as Queen Victoria came to the throne, the firm was awarded the Royal Warrant for their supply of dressing cases to the royal family.

Expanding to 39 Piccadilly in 1841, the name had now changed to Lucy Leuchars & Son; the ‘Son’ referring to William Leuchars. After Lucy’s death in 1847, William gained sole responsibility for the business. Leuchars exhibited and won prize medals for his dressing cases at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862, winning a further silver medal at the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris.

The business was eventual sold by the Leuchars family to Asprey’s in 1888.

We believe this clock dates from circa 1837-1840.

This timepiece has been overhauled and comes with our two year guarantee.

Physical Dimensions
Height
10cm (3.94")
Width
6.5cm (2.56")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

Chalfont Clocks has dated this Prayer Book Travel Clock to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1172285
Dealers Internal Reference
398
Dealers Notes

All of our clocks come with a 2 year guarantee, all of our clocks are overhauled and sympathetically restored, all of our clocks are authentic and supplied in good original condition.

Description
Possible one of a kind travel clock in the shape of a purse or prayer book, with a false clasp and snap closure. This beautifully gilded object fits in the palm of your hand and is incredibly tactile.
Opened with the push of a button the case unfolds to reveal a sharply engraved interior with a faux book insert that houses a small watch movement behind a silvered and engraved roman dial.
Chalfont Clocks

The back signed Leuchars, 38 Picadilly London, with winding and setting squares as well as an aperture for balance regulation.

fig 1. A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp.
fig 1. A Very Unusual Travel Clock in the Shape of a Prayer Book

Leuchars were specialists in Luxury items and bijouterie in the 19th Century. Started by James Leuchars at 47 Piccadilly, London in 1794. In 1820, the business moved to 38 Piccadilly shortly before James Leuchars died in 1823.

fig 2. A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp.
fig 2. A Very Unusual Travel Clock in the Shape of a Prayer Book

Lucy Leuchars, James’ widow, continued the business under the name of L. Leuchars. In 1837, the same year as Queen Victoria came to the throne, the firm was awarded the Royal Warrant for their supply of dressing cases to the royal family.

fig 3. A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp.
fig 3. A Very Unusual Travel Clock in the Shape of a Prayer Book

Expanding to 39 Piccadilly in 1841, the name had now changed to Lucy Leuchars & Son; the ‘Son’ referring to William Leuchars. After Lucy’s death in 1847, William gained sole responsibility for the business. Leuchars exhibited and won prize medals for his dressing cases at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862, winning a further silver medal at the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris.

The business was eventual sold by the Leuchars family to Asprey’s in 1888.

We believe this clock dates from circa 1837-1840.

This timepiece has been overhauled and comes with our two year guarantee.

Height
10cm (3.94")
Width
6.5cm (2.56")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

Chalfont Clocks has dated this Prayer Book Travel Clock to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1172285
Dealers Internal Ref
398
Chalfont Clocks
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2021

Specialists in antique clocks and their restoration.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Chalfont Clocks Profile Page

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A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp.
1 / 13
Archive I A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp.

A Very Unusual Travel Clock in the Shape of a Prayer Book

Archive II A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View II
Archive III A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View III
Archive IV A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View IV
Archive V A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View V
Archive VI A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View VI
Archive VII A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View VII
Archive VIII A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View VIII
Archive IX A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View IX
Archive X A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View X
Archive XI A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View XI
Archive XII A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View XII
Archive XIII A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01494 763 793
Location
Chalfont Station Road
Little Chalfont
Buckinghamshire
HP7 9PN
United Kingdom
Verified Since Nov 2021
Items For Sale 62
Items Sold 80
Chalfont Clocks
Verified Since Nov 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Chalfont Station Road, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, HP7 9PN, United Kingdom
Verified
Nov 2021
For Sale
62
Sold
80
A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp.
A Very Unusual Travel Clock in The Shape of a Prayer Book
Ref: SA1172285
A closed brass travel clock designed in the form of a small prayer book featuring an ornate central clasp.
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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Novelty travel clocks designed to resemble small bound books or prayer books gained popularity during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as portable, discreet timepieces for journeys.

These portable timepieces were predominantly crafted using brass, gilt metal, and engraved alloys, featuring mechanical balance spring movements housed inside protective metal casings.

Authentic period pieces typically feature hand-engraved details, natural age-related oxidisation on metal surfaces, and mechanical, key-wound or stem-wound horological movements rather than modern quartz mechanisms.

Small decorative timepieces function well as subtle accents placed on a bookshelf, bedside table, or layered atop a stack of hardback books inside a study.

Wipe metal surfaces gently with a dry, lint-free microfibre cloth to remove dust, avoiding harsh chemical polishes that strip historical patina or damage delicate mechanical components inside.
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