Clocks · Carriage clock
Carriage clock by Charles Frodsham, 84 Strand, London, c. 1845–1855
- Maker / attribution
- Charles Frodsham (maker)
- Date
- c. 1845–1855
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- England
- Place
- 84 Strand, London
- Object type
- Carriage clock
- Stock no.
- SKU 531
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Howard Walwyn (SKU 531)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Charles Frodsham, N° 858. An exceptional English carriage clock by this noted maker. (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Howard Walwyn Fine Antique Clocks (dealer), London (stock number SKU 531), this is a carriage clock by Charles Frodsham, made in 84 Strand, London, England, dated c. 1845–1855. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Clocks collection. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Howard Walwyn
An exceptional English carriage clock by this noted maker, complete with its original winding key and velvet-lined mahogany travelling box. Standing on brass pad feet, the case is veneered with richly figured rosewood and is surmounted by a well-cast carrying handle. Set into a gilded engraved dial plate, the convex enamel chapter ring is signed by the maker to either side of XII, Charles Frodsham 84 Strand . The delicate blued steel hands have pierced heart-shaped tips. The front door has an engraved chevron pattern gilded sight ring. The movement is of the usual high quality expected from this maker having substantial plates, chain fusees and maintaining power. The hours are struck on a coiled gong with a push repeat button and loud/soft lever. The backplate, fully signed Arnold. Charles Frodsham, 84 Strand London N° 858 , has the rare feature of a small, enamel seconds dial. There is a large platform at the top of the movement with compensated balance and lever escapement. Height to top of case : 10 ¼ in (26 cm) Charles Frodsham “a very able maker and writer” (Baillie) was a celebrated maker of chronometers and Master of the Clockmaker’s Company in 1855. In 1844 he took over the premises at 84 Strand previously occupied by John Roger Arnold. Literature: The Frodshams by Vaudrey Mercer HW6507
Historical context
Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.
Factory production transformed the clock into an everyday object. American makers (Seth Thomas, Ansonia, Waterbury) and German factories (Junghans, Gustav Becker, Lenzkirch) sold millions of shelf, wall and alarm clocks worldwide; France produced standardised Paris movements and carriage clocks; electric time distribution began.
Read the period in the timelineMore clocks from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology
Atlas type guide
Carriage and travel clocks
The carriage clock is a portable spring clock with a balance-wheel escapement and a brass case with glass panels and a carrying handle. Abraham-Louis Breguet made early examples around 1800, and from the 1830s Paul Garnier and other French makers industrialised production, with the small towns of Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont and the Franche-Comté supplying movements for retailers worldwide.
Typical features include a platform escapement mounted horizontally on top of the movement (usually a lever, sometimes cylinder or Garnier's chaff-cutter), striking or repeating work, and alarms. English carriage clocks, generally larger and with fusees, were made by firms such as Frodsham and Dent. Travel clocks in folding leather cases became popular in the twentieth century.
What to look for
- A platform escapement visible through the top glass.
- Case styles: corniche, gorge, anglaise, obis or engraved cases.
- Repeat buttons on top and strike/silent levers.
- Stamps of movement makers (e.g. Drocourt, Jacot, Margaine, Richard & Co.) on the backplate.
Dating clues
- Early carriage clocks with Breguet or Garnier features: c. 1800–1850.
- Mass-produced French carriage clocks: c. 1850–1914.
- Folding travel clocks and alarm travel clocks: mostly 1920–1970.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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