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Lot Essay
Roberts describes this series of table regulators as 'probably the most attractive clocks Dent ever made', suggesting it is unlikely that more than ten examples were produced (p. 167). One of these is in the Harris collection at Belmont in Kent. No. 522, which Roberts suggests may have been made as a pair to the present clock although they are signed in a different manner, was sold anonymously, Christie's London, 2 July 2004, lot 125 (£50,190).
The first of these clocks was made in 1836 by Arnold and Dent for Sir George Biddel Airy (1801-1892), the Astronomer Royal, and employs Airy's own design of spring detent escapement. Airy formed a good relationship with Dent, having a keen interest in horology and inventing several escapements and remontoire systems, he encouraged Dent to use some of these developments on his clocks.
The train remontoire on the present clock is made to Airy's design. Roberts quotes from a letter Dent wrote to Airy on 28 September 1843 where he says 'I beg leave to inform you that I have succeeded in applying the remontoire escapement to a small clock and it appears to answer well'. Roberts suggests that Dent may be describing the present clock, No. 521 or No. 522, as both have Airy's remontoire, a design Dent later used on the Royal Exchange turret clock.
The first of these clocks was made in 1836 by Arnold and Dent for Sir George Biddel Airy (1801-1892), the Astronomer Royal, and employs Airy's own design of spring detent escapement. Airy formed a good relationship with Dent, having a keen interest in horology and inventing several escapements and remontoire systems, he encouraged Dent to use some of these developments on his clocks.
The train remontoire on the present clock is made to Airy's design. Roberts quotes from a letter Dent wrote to Airy on 28 September 1843 where he says 'I beg leave to inform you that I have succeeded in applying the remontoire escapement to a small clock and it appears to answer well'. Roberts suggests that Dent may be describing the present clock, No. 521 or No. 522, as both have Airy's remontoire, a design Dent later used on the Royal Exchange turret clock.