Lot Essay
The present clock is one of only three known examples that Dent made circa 1860 and represents the zenith of English carriage clock making in the Victorian era.
Dent's records of the clock describe it as;
'Giant' clock. Perpetual calendar. equation of time and moon, Quarters struck on eight bells. Hours on gong. Chronometer escapt.
4 trains, 3 with fusees, and the calendar train with a going barrel.
Weight approx. 60 lbs. Height: 19in. with the handle up
In Allix op. cit. it is recorded as having been sold in these rooms October 26, 1971 but in fact that particular clock, which was virtually identical, was numbered 25262
Dent exhibited one of the three known clocks of this type at the Great International Exhibition of 1862, the exhibit, No. 28 was described with the following description;
EXHIBITED, NO. 28;
A chronometer clock, with patent balance for extreme temperatures,
chiming the quarters on eight bells, with perpetual calendar of the most perfect construction, indicating the days of week and the month, the phases of the moon, the equation and the bisextile, in a superbly finished case of gilt bronze and crystal glass (Illustrated catalogue of the Industrial Department, British Division, vol. 7, (printed for H.M. Commissioners), p. 70, No. 28)
No. 23715, illustrated in Allix op. cit. is listed as made 1860 and No. 25262, sold in these rooms October 26, 1971 is listed as made 1865, which leaves the present example No. 24128, listed as having been made in 1862, as the most likely clock to have been the one entered in the Exhibition
Dent's records of the clock describe it as;
'Giant' clock. Perpetual calendar. equation of time and moon, Quarters struck on eight bells. Hours on gong. Chronometer escapt.
4 trains, 3 with fusees, and the calendar train with a going barrel.
Weight approx. 60 lbs. Height: 19in. with the handle up
In Allix op. cit. it is recorded as having been sold in these rooms October 26, 1971 but in fact that particular clock, which was virtually identical, was numbered 25262
Dent exhibited one of the three known clocks of this type at the Great International Exhibition of 1862, the exhibit, No. 28 was described with the following description;
EXHIBITED, NO. 28;
A chronometer clock, with patent balance for extreme temperatures,
chiming the quarters on eight bells, with perpetual calendar of the most perfect construction, indicating the days of week and the month, the phases of the moon, the equation and the bisextile, in a superbly finished case of gilt bronze and crystal glass (Illustrated catalogue of the Industrial Department, British Division, vol. 7, (printed for H.M. Commissioners), p. 70, No. 28)
No. 23715, illustrated in Allix op. cit. is listed as made 1860 and No. 25262, sold in these rooms October 26, 1971 is listed as made 1865, which leaves the present example No. 24128, listed as having been made in 1862, as the most likely clock to have been the one entered in the Exhibition