The old Warden estate in Bedfordshire was acquired in 1872 by Joseph Shuttleworth who commissioned the house to be built based on Gawthorpe Hall, the Lancashire home of Lord Shuttleworth. It is quite possible that this clock and lots 213, 255 & 290 were bought by Joseph Shuttleworth in an exhibition circa 1695.
Charles Frodsham was born on 15 April 1810, the son of William James Frodsham. Four of William Frodsham's sons went into the business with their father but Charles, who was apprenticed to his father in 1824, was the prodigy and having made a reputation as a fine chronometer maker set up on his own in 1832. His first big step was to take over the business of the famous John Roger Arnold and in 1843 he moved into their premises in 84 Strand. In 1854 he acquired the equally prestigious business of Vulliamy and took over their Royal Appiontment. He died in 1881 but his son Charles Mill Frodsham had already joined the business which continued to thrive. In 1893 they became a company and their last coup was to purchase the pre-eminent firm of Nicole Nielsen. This carriage clock was made circa 1895, amongst its qualities such as its size and chronometer escapement the dial has the most unusual feature of twin power reserve indications both for the going and striking trains, a luxury that is both very practical and aesthetically pleasing.