Clocks · Skeleton clock
Skeleton clock attributed to either Smith of Clerkenwell or Evans of Handsworth, c. 1870
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- c. 1870
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Skeleton clock
- Materials / technique
- ebonised
- Dimensions
- Height 19 in (48 cm)
- Stock no.
- Product 577
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, P A Oxley (product 577)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Rare Skeleton clock attributed to either Smith of Clekenwell or Evans of Handsworth (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by P A Oxley (dealer), Wiltshire (stock number Product 577), this is a skeleton clock, dated c. 1870. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Clocks collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: ebonised. Recorded dimensions: Height 19 in (48 cm). The record is illustrated with 6 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 — P A Oxley
A rare 19th century Skeleton clock depicting Lichfield Cathedral. Featuring a double fusee 8 day movement and striking the hours on a coiled blued gong and once on the half hour. The well executed skeletonised chapter ring with engraved Gothic Roman numerals and well made blued steel hands. Both the front and backplate are designed to imitate Lichfield Cathedral, along with the three spires to the top and three brass crosses. The movement is of the highest quality and features five spoke wheel work. Also with blued steel screws throughout the movement The movement stands on what appears to be a contemporary ebonised base and an original glass dome. Fully restored and guaranteed for 3 years.
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
Skeleton clocks
A skeleton clock displays its movement: the plates are pierced to a minimum so that wheels, escapement and fusee can be seen, usually under a glass dome. French makers produced fine skeleton clocks in the late eighteenth century; in Victorian England they became popular showpieces, with frames in the shapes of cathedrals and famous buildings.
What to look for
- Pierced brass plates in scroll or architectural shapes.
- A glass dome and wooden or marble base.
- Fusee movements and sometimes passing strike on a bell.
Dating clues
- French skeleton clocks: c. 1780–1830.
- English cathedral-style skeleton clocks: c. 1840–1890.
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.
Read next:Anchor (recoil) escapement
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