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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Bracket clock

Antique Bracket Clock by Desbois and Wheeler

Partially verified

This bracket clock features an eight-day duration movement with twin fusee and bell strike. The white arched dial is signed 'Desbois and Wheeler' and 'Grays Inn Passage', with Roman numerals, delicate iron hands, and a strike/silent feature located in the arch. The clock is housed in a mahogany cabinet that includes a pad top, a brass handle, brass 'fish-scale' side frets, and brass OG feet. The glazed front door is framed by a brass surround. Desbois and Wheeler maintained premises at No 9 Gray’s Inn Passage in London. The clock is associated with the date circa 1790, within the period that the makers were active in Central London.

Front view of the Desbois and Wheeler bracket clock showing the arched dial and brass-mounted mahogany case.
Front view of the Desbois and Wheeler bracket clock showing the arched dial and brass-mounted mahogany case. — Pendulum of Mayfair. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk
Category
Clock · Bracket clock
Maker / attribution
Desbois and Wheeler
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1211
Source-reported date
circa 1790
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Hands

The clock face consists of an arched white dial marked with black Roman numerals for the hour chapters and a secondary circular dial within the arch for the strike/silent regulation. The dial is signed 'Desbois and Wheeler' with the location 'Grays Inn Passage' inscribed below the center.

The time is indicated by a pair of delicate, shaped iron hands. The strike/silent function, which allows for the silencing of the bell mechanism, is operated via a lever in the arch. The dial is protected by a glazed front door featuring a brass surround.

Evidence for this section
  • “The arched white dial with Roman Numerals and strike silent feature to the arch and lovely shaped delicate iron hands.”
  • “the dial signed Desbois and Wheeler – Grays Inn Passage.”

Movement and Mechanism

The internal mechanism is an eight-day duration, twin fusee movement designed to strike on a bell. The brass backplate of the movement is decorated with engraved bordering along its perimeter.

Visible features of the movement assembly include the suspension of the pendulum and the hammer mechanism for the strike train. The movement is contained within a mahogany case, which is fitted with fish-scale brass side frets to allow sound to escape from the clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “The fine quality ‘8-day’ twin fusee bell strike movement”
  • “brass ‘fish-scale’ side frets”

Case and Attribution

The exterior cabinet is constructed from mahogany and rests upon brass OG feet. The top of the case is styled as a pad top and features a brass carry handle. The door is hinged and secured within a brass frame.

The manufacturer is identified as the partnership of Desbois and Wheeler, which operated between 1790 and 1835 from their workshop in Gray’s Inn Passage.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pad top with brass surround, brass ‘fish-scale’ side frets and brass OG feet.”
  • “Desbois and Wheeler were working from 1790-1835”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement backplate contain a serial number or maker's mark not visible in the photos?
  • Are there any maker's signatures on the internal movement plates or components?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Antique Bracket Clock by Desbois and Wheeler
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerDesbois and Wheeler“The dial signed Desbois and Wheeler Grays Inn Passage.”
Datecirca 1790“Antique Bracket Clock by Desbois and Wheeler – London C1790”
Movement duration8-day“fine arched white dial ‘8-day’ duration mahogany bell strike twin fusee bracket clock.”
Location of premisesNo 9 Gray’s Inn Passage, London“They had a premises at No 9 Gray’s Inn Passage in Central London.”
Lot ID1211“SKU: 1211”
Dial featuresStrike/silent in arch“The arched white dial with Roman Numerals and strike silent feature to the arch”

Visible details

  • White arched dial with Roman numerals
  • Brass fish-scale side frets
  • Strike/silent indicator in the dial arch

Research qualifications

  • The exact production date is approximate
  • The specific movement caliber or serial number is not provided

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Antique Bracket Clock by Desbois and Wheeler – London C1790

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 9864e087d2

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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