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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Grandmother clock

Birch & Gaydon Musical Grandmother Clock

Partially verified

This musical grandmother clock, attributed to circa 1920, is constructed with a mahogany case standing 167 cm tall. It features a gilt-brass dial adorned with decorative spandrels, housing a silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the top, along with a chime/silent selector in the arch. The timepiece is equipped with a mechanism capable of playing the Whittington chime on eight bells, supplemented by hour striking on a gong. Winding is facilitated through three holes on the dial, which control the timekeeping, chime, and strike trains. The dial bears the signature "Birch & Gaydon London," a firm associated with the retailer Asprey.

The gilt-brass dial of the Birch & Gaydon grandmother clock, featuring the Whittington chime selector and subsidiary seconds dial.
The gilt-brass dial of the Birch & Gaydon grandmother clock, featuring the Whittington chime selector and subsidiary seconds dial. — Dutch Time Pieces. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Grandmother clock
Maker / attribution
Birch & Gaydon
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1920
Source-reported place
England

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 Case Description

The timepiece is housed in a mahogany case measuring 167 cm in height, incorporating an arched hood and a glazed door that provides a view of the dial.

The dial is composed of gilt-brass, detailed with cast spandrels in the corners and around the arch. It features a silvered and engraved chapter ring displaying Roman numerals for hour indication and Arabic numerals for the minutes. Additional elements on the dial face include a subsidiary seconds dial located in the upper portion, and a selector for the chime/silent function positioned within the arch.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه این ساعت طبق مشخصات منبع از چوب ماهون (Mahogany) ساخته شده و دارای ارتفاع ۱۶۷ سانتی‌متر است”
  • “صفحه ساعت از برنج زراندود همراه با تزیینات و لچکی‌های ریخته‌گری در گوشه‌ها و اطراف قوس تشکیل شده است”

Movement and Sound

The clock is powered by a triple-train mechanism, indicated by three winding holes on the dial, which drive the timekeeping, musical, and striking functions. The musical component is designed to play the Whittington chime across eight bells at quarter-hour intervals.

At the top of every hour, the clock completes the sequence with an hour strike performed on a gong. The presence of the chime/silent selector in the arch allows for control over the musical output of the striking mechanism, offering flexibility in the clock's acoustic operation.

Evidence for this section
  • “مجهز به زنگ ربع‌ساعت‌زن ملودیک ویتینگتون (Whittington) بر روی ۸ کاسه‌زنگ (Bells) است و در رأس هر ساعت، ضربات ساعت‌شمار کامل بر روی گانگ (Gong) نواخته می‌شود”
  • “سه دهانه کوک روی صفحه نشان‌دهنده یک مکانیزم سه‌وزنه‌ای یا سه‌فنره برای راه‌اندازی بخش زمان، بخش نواختن ملودی و بخش ضربه ساعت‌شمار است”

Signatures and Maintenance

The dial bears the signature of 'Birch & Gaydon London.' According to the provided information, this business was later associated with the jewelry retailer Asprey. The object is estimated to date from around 1920, based on manufacturer or retail identification provided by the source.

Specific details regarding the current operational status of the movement are not provided. The source suggests that potential collectors should verify the functionality of the gear train, the condition of the bells and chime components, the presence of original weights and pendulum, and the authenticity of the wood and case joints.

Evidence for this section
  • “بر روی صفحه ساعت امضای Birch & Gaydon London درج شده”
  • “وضعیت کارکرد دقیق موتور یا سابقه سرویس اخیر آن تصریح نشده است”

Open research questions

  • Was the movement originally manufactured by Birch & Gaydon or retailed by them from a third-party ébauche manufacturer?
  • Does the clock retain its original period pendulum and weight set?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Birch & Gaydon Musical Grandmother Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBirch & Gaydon“Birch & Gaydon London”
Datecirca 1920“حدود ۱۹۲۰”
Case materialMahogany“چوب ماهون (Mahogany)”
Height167 cm“۱۶۷ سانتی‌متر”
Chime systemWhittington on 8 bells“زنگ ربع‌ساعت‌زن ملودیک ویتینگتون (Whittington) بر روی ۸ کاسه‌زنگ (Bells)”
Dial featuresGilt-brass with silvered chapter ring“صفحه ساعت از برنج زراندود همراه با تزیینات و لچکی‌های ریخته‌گری در گوشه‌ها و اطراف قوس تشکیل شده است. حلقه مدرج اصلی نقره‌اندود و حکاکی‌شده”
Chime selectorChime/Silent switch“یک حلقه تنظیم حالت پخش زنگ (Chime / Silent) در قوس بالایی صفحه قرار دارد”

Visible details

  • Gilt brass dial with cast corner spandrels
  • Three winding holes for triple-train mechanism
  • Engraved silvered chapter ring with Roman hours and Arabic minutes
  • Mahogany case with arched hood

Research qualifications

  • Working condition of the movement and chime system not specified
  • Internal integrity of weights, pendulum, and gear train not verified

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

Consulted source

Antique musical grandmother clock

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record f8784a96ec

Terms in this record

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