This is a classic form. This English-made bell top bracket clock was retailed by Lambert, whose shop was on Coventry Street in London. 222093.
Francis Lambert I, was born in 1778 and opened a shop in 1803 selling jewelry and silver plate. The shop was located at 11-12 Coventry Street in London. The Lambert family was directly involved with this business for three generations. In 1916, the firm was closed and absorbed by Harman & Co Ltd, trading under the amended name of Harman & Lambert. This business closed in 1970. The Lambert family-run firms built a solid reputation as a jewelry manufacturer, gold smithing, and secondhand silver, to which new silver was added later. The new silver was inspired by the designs of the antique pieces they handled.
This bell top case is constructed in mahogany. The wood selected exhibits a strong tiger graining and is finished to a high polish. The wooden case is supported by a brass base. Four og bracket feet elevate the cabinet of the furniture. The case sides are fitted with pierced brass floral-themed frets. These are skillfully cut out, slightly shaped, and accentuated with engravings. The frets are backed in red silk. The back door also incorporates a pierce brass pattern that consists of a combination of circles and crosses. The door provides access to the mechanism. The four corners of the case are canted and fluted, and the flutes are stopped with brass rods. The canted shapes terminate in lamb's tongue moldings. The front door is a complex design. The large window frames the flattened arched dial. The glass panel is trimmed with brass. The upper corners of the door are pierced, and additional sound frets are located here. Above the dial between the spandrels is a long rectangular opening that is also fitted with a pierced brass sound fret. Again, all of these sound frets are backed in red silk. Four shaped finials are positioned at each of the corners on the top of the case. A cast brass handle is mounted to the top of the bell-shaped stepped molding.
The composite brass dial is wonderfully presented and measures 5 inches across. The main sheet is brass and provides the mounting platform for applied details and decorations. The brass seashell-themed spandrels are cast and fit tightly around the engraved time ring. This ring and the speed adjustment ring in the arch of the dial are treated with a silver wash. This provides contrast. The large ring displays the time. It is formatted with large Roman-style hour numerals that are separated by stylized Fleur-dis-Lis symbols. A closed minute ring separates the hours from the Arabic five-minute markers. The center of the dial is matted or textured. The Retailer's name can be found on an engraved plaque that is secured under the hour XII. This plaque reads, "LAMBERT / COVENTRY ST / LONDON." The 'CHIME/SILENT' selector is located in the arch. This is also framed with applied cast spandrels. The steel hands are well formed and will indicate the time.
The brass movement is of very good quality. The brass plates are substantial and are highly polished. Four turned pillars that are secured with screws space the plates apart. Hardened steel shafts support the brass gearing. This is a two-train movement that incorporates fusees in the power trains. This allows it to keep time or run for eight days on a full wind while it strikes the hours and quarter hours on two coil wire gongs mounted inside the case. This clock strikes the quarter hours, playing a blow on each gong. In the first quarter, it strikes twice. The second quarter it strikes a total of four times, etc. On the hour, it strikes the hour on the large gong.
This clock was made circa 1900. It is approximately 16 inches tall, with the handle in the upright position. The footprint of the case measures 9.75 inches wide and 9.25 inches deep.
Inventory number 222093.
