Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Wall clock

Antique Scottish wall clock by James Muirhead

Partially verified

This antique wall clock is attributed to the Scottish maker James Muirhead, who operated from 90 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. Dated to approximately 1870, the clock features an oak case measuring 70 cm in height, embellished with geometric and carved motifs. The 31 cm diameter dial is silvered with engraved details, displaying Roman numerals, a sub-seconds dial, and the manufacturer's name and address. A circular aperture positioned beneath the twelve o'clock marker provides a direct view of the jeweled platform escapement. The movement is mechanical, utilizing a fusee drive with its original chain for constant force regulation. The escapement is an English lever type mounted on a jeweled platform, incorporating a maintaining power mechanism. The clock is constructed with heavy brass plates and machined components. The auction description reports the original condition of the fusee chain, while noting that the operational status and service history are unconfirmed.

Front view of the James Muirhead wall clock showing the dial, hands, sub-seconds, and the escapement aperture.
Front view of the James Muirhead wall clock showing the dial, hands, sub-seconds, and the escapement aperture. — Dutch Time Pieces. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Wall clock
Maker / attribution
James Muirhead
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1870
Source-reported place
Scotland

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

Case and Dial

The wall clock is housed in an oak case characterized by carved decorative motifs and geometric detailing. It measures 70 centimeters in total height. The exterior design focuses on a substantial frame around the clock face, integrating various sculptured elements consistent with the aesthetic of the period.

The 31-centimeter diameter dial is crafted from metal with a matte silvered finish and fine engravings. Roman numerals indicate the hours, supplemented by a sub-seconds dial. A notable feature of the dial is a circular aperture situated directly below the twelve o'clock position, which exposes the movement's platform escapement to the viewer.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه اصلی این اثر از چوب بلوط (Oak) ساخته شده و دارای نقوش منبت‌کاری شده و تزیینات هندسی و تندیس‌گون است”
  • “صفحه ساعت از فلز با روکش نقره‌ای مات و حکاکی‌های ظریف ساخته شده و قطر آن ۳۱ سانتی‌متر است”
  • “دریچه‌ای مدور در زیر عدد دوازده تعبیه شده که مجموعه رقاصک و پلتفرم رقاصک را مستقیماً روی صفحه نمایان می‌سازد”

Movement and Escapement

The mechanical movement is a fusee design, equipped with its original chain to maintain consistent driving force. This mechanism is constructed with thick brass plates, reflecting the construction standards of the Scottish maker. The system also includes a maintaining power feature to ensure timekeeping continues during the winding process.

The escapement is an English lever type mounted on a jeweled platform. This configuration, visible through the dial's aperture, combines structural durability with functional precision. The source specifies that the platform utilizes jewels to reduce friction within the escapement assembly.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور این ساعت دیواری مکانیکی از نوع فیوزه (Fusee) مجهز به زنجیر فابریک و اصلی است”
  • “سیستم مهار (Escapement) آن از نوع اهرمی انگلیسی (English lever escapement) روی یک پلتفرم سنگ‌دار (Jeweled platform) سوار شده”
  • “دارای سیستم نیروی پیوسته (Continuous power / Maintaining power) است”

Provenance and Condition

The clock is identified as the work of James Muirhead, whose business was located at 90 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. The production is dated to circa 1870. The historical record emphasizes the maker's identification and his operational base in Scotland during the late nineteenth century.

The auction description reports that the fusee chain is original to the clock. However, the source provides no details regarding the object's current ability to keep accurate daily time or when it was last serviced. Prospective owners are encouraged to have the chain tension, jewel integrity, and gear lubrication inspected by a qualified specialist.

Evidence for this section
  • “سازنده نامدار James Muirhead است که طبق منبع در نشانی «90 Buchanan street Glasgow» فعالیت داشته است”
  • “طبق اظهارات منبع زنجیر سیستم فیوزه فابریک باقی مانده است”
  • “وضعیت سلامت کارکرد دقیق روزمره و آخرین تاریخ سرویس کامل در اسناد منبع ذکر نشده است”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific horological mechanisms used in the James Muirhead platform assembly beyond the standard English lever escapement?
  • Are there extant records of James Muirhead’s workshop production volumes that corroborate this clock as a typical model for the Glasgow market circa 1870?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Antique Scottish wall clock by James Muirhead
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJames Muirhead“اثری باکیفیت و برجسته از سازنده نامدار James Muirhead”
Datecirca 1870“دوره ساخت این اثر حدود سال ۱۸۷۰ میلادی برآورد شده”
Case MaterialOak“بدنه اصلی این اثر از چوب بلوط (Oak) ساخته شده”
Case Height70 cm“ارتفاع کل قاب طبق منبع ۷۰ سانتی‌متر می‌باشد”
Dial Diameter31 cm“قطر آن ۳۱ سانتی‌متر است”
EscapementEnglish lever on a jeweled platform“سیستم مهار (Escapement) آن از نوع اهرمی انگلیسی (English lever escapement) روی یک پلتفرم سنگ‌دار (Jeweled platform) سوار شده”
Drive SystemFusee with original chain“موتور این ساعت دیواری مکانیکی از نوع فیوزه (Fusee) مجهز به زنجیر فابریک و اصلی است”

Visible details

  • The oak case features detailed carvings and geometric flourishes.
  • A silvered dial includes a visible balance platform aperture at the 12 o'clock position.
  • The mechanical movement utilizes a fusee drive with an original chain.
  • Engraving on the dial reads 'James Muirhead', '90 Buchanan Street', and 'Glasgow'.

Research qualifications

  • The operational accuracy and daily timekeeping functionality are not verified in the source.
  • The clock's internal condition, including the lubrication of the gear train and potential wear, is not confirmed.

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

Consulted source

Antique Scottish wall clock

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record cc843bb686

Terms in this record

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