S. Smith & Sons Ltd. Trafalgar Square London. A Victorian era hall clock. 215038.
This carved mahogany case is difficult to describe because it is complicated in terms of its form and applied decorations which are challenging to illustrate verbally. In this case, a picture may be worth a thousand words. The carved elements are well executed and done to excess. This wonderful example stands a full 8 feet 10 inches or 106 inches tall. It is only 26 inches wide and 16 inches deep. It is elevated off the floor on four nicely formed ogee bracket-style feet. These are connected by a drop molding that hangs below the base. The lower or base section of the wooden cabinet is decorated with several carved elements. The central theme is a carved face. The framing is intricate. The front corners are chamfered, and this surface is also carved with a blind fret detail. The waist section is long, which aids in the narrow proportions of this form. The glass door allows one to inspect the interior of the case visually. This clock has nine tubular chimes, three large weights, and a cylindrical pendulum bob. All of which have been plated in a nickel finish. It is unusual for all three of these elements to be presented in this manner. Usually, the weights are finished in brass. The pendulum bob is supported by a wooden rod. The waist door and the sides of the case are fitted with glass. All three of these panels are decorated with fluid carvings that are quite light and airy. This is a very effective design element. The columns are skillfully turned and decorated with carvings and three-dimensional shaping. In the bonnet or hood section, we find more of the same type of decorative elements. The hood door is interestingly shaped and is trimmed with carved decorations. The frets are pierced. The turned finials are wooden and carved. This example makes a wonderful statement and has a great presence.
The finely made three-train movement is constructed in brass and is of very good quality. Four-turned pillars support the two large and heavy brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The three winding drums are grooved to accept the weight-bearing cables. This movement is constructed with retaining or maintaining power. The escapement is a Graham deadbeat design. The pendulum rod is turned from wood and is supported by a brass mount located on the backplate. This rod suspends a cylindrical jar arrangement that is weighted with lead. This three-train movement is weight driven and designed to run eight days on a full wind. All three weights are lead and covered in decorative brass casings that are treated with a nickel finish. The strike train was designed to strike the hours and the quarter hours on a set of 9 tubular chimes of varying lengths. These are mounted inside the case and are suspended from a bracket at the top of the movement. The operator has a choice of tunes. They are Westminster or Whittington. The quarter striking feature can be turned on or off by moving a lever located on top of the dial. When this is turned off, the clock will strike each hour on the hour.
The decoratively engraved brass dial features applied details such as chapter rings, numerals, and spandrels. It is signed on a plaque located above the hour figure 6 by the retailer “S. Smith & Sons Ltd. / Trafalgar Square London.” This dial features a subsidiary seconds dial with Arabic ten seconds markers. The Silent / Strike and Whittington / Westminster selectors are located in the arch.
Please note that is clock was photographed in as found condition. It is sold fully restored and in excellent working order.
The case dimensions are as follows: Approximately 106 inches tall, 26 inches wide, and 16 inches deep. This clock was made circa 1915.
It is inventory number 215038.
