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Lot Essay
A very similar skeleton clock is illustrated in D. Roberts British Skeleton Clocks, Woodbridge, 1987, pp. 210-213, pl.35 & figs. 6/1b-g and was sold Christie's London, 22 January 2009, lot 200 (£39,650). Of that example, Roberts writes that it 'must have been one of the finest skeleton clocks produced'. Another example was sold Christie's London, 5 July 2006, lot 81 (£26,400). Variants of this model with raised central bell for the hour strike have also sold in these rooms: 6 December 2006, lot 32 (£31,200) and 17 March 2011, lot 130 (£30,000). This example has the additional features of trip repeat and strike/silent, which are not generally found on quarter-chiming skeleton clocks.
Although particularly renowned for their skeleton clocks, Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell were one of the most important manufacturers of all types of clocks during the period 1850-1900. Indeed, the company was the subject of an article in The Illustrated London News of 20 September 1851 (reproduced in Roberts, op.cit., pp. 260-267), in which it was held up as being at the forefront of contemporary clock manufacture.
Smith's catalogue of 1865 gives an idea of the extensive range of skeleton clocks the company produced. A scroll pattern skeleton clock is listed at £2.10s. However, a clock such as the present example would have cost ten times as much: 'Chime Skeleton Clocks, quarter-hours on 8 bells & hours on gong, 25 upwards' (Roberts, p. 127). Such clocks were amongst the finest the company produced.
Although particularly renowned for their skeleton clocks, Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell were one of the most important manufacturers of all types of clocks during the period 1850-1900. Indeed, the company was the subject of an article in The Illustrated London News of 20 September 1851 (reproduced in Roberts, op.cit., pp. 260-267), in which it was held up as being at the forefront of contemporary clock manufacture.
Smith's catalogue of 1865 gives an idea of the extensive range of skeleton clocks the company produced. A scroll pattern skeleton clock is listed at £2.10s. However, a clock such as the present example would have cost ten times as much: 'Chime Skeleton Clocks, quarter-hours on 8 bells & hours on gong, 25 upwards' (Roberts, p. 127). Such clocks were amongst the finest the company produced.