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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Bracket clock

Bracket timepiece in mahogany case with silvered dial

Partially verified

According to the Science Museum Group, this bracket timepiece dates to 1874 and was manufactured in London by Dutton and Company. The clock is housed in a rectangular mahogany case with a molded cornice and plinth base. Its circular silvered dial features black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, a winding aperture above VI, and is inscribed 'DUTTON & CO LONDON'. The dial is also marked with the royal cypher 'V R' flanking a crown above the year 1874. The museum records note that it was supplied by C. Sansom, Clockmaker to the Department of Science and Art.

Three-quarter front view of the Dutton & Co bracket timepiece in mahogany case
Three-quarter front view of the Dutton & Co bracket timepiece in mahogany case — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Clock · Bracket clock
Maker / attribution
Dutton and Company
Reference
1990-392
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1874
Country
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

Identity and Institutional Provenance

Catalogued under object number 1990-392 by the Science Museum Group, this bracket timepiece is recorded as having been made in London in 1874 by Dutton and Company. The source notes that it was supplied by "C. Sansom, Montpelier Street, Clockmaker to the Department of Science and Art (South Kensington Museums)".

The timepiece is classified under the Time Measurement category and is documented by the museum as on display at the Science Museum in the Making the Modern World Gallery.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made: 1874 in London maker: Dutton and Company”
  • “Supplied by C. Sansom, Montpelier Street, Clockmaker to the Department of Science and Art (South Kensington Museums)”
  • “Science Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery”

Case Construction and Dimensions

The object is recorded with overall measurements of 308 mm in height, 235 mm in width, and 165 mm in depth. Its materials are documented in the museum catalogue as "mahogany (wood) and metal (unknown)".

Visual observations record a rectangular polished mahogany case featuring a stepped plinth base, a molded top cornice, and an applied rectangular molded wooden panel situated below the dial on the front face. The dial is protected behind a glazed brass bezel with a visible right-side hinge.

Evidence for this section
  • “overall: 308 mm x 235 mm x 165 mm”
  • “Materials: mahogany (wood) and metal (unknown)”
  • “Rectangular polished mahogany case featuring a stepped plinth base and molded top cornice”
  • “Circular silvered metal dial protected within a glazed brass bezel with right-side hinge”
  • “Applied rectangular molded wooden panel situated below the dial on the front face”

Dial Configuration and Inscriptions

The museum record notes the dial inscription as "Dutton & Co, London, V R 1874". Visual inspection confirms a circular silvered metal dial inscribed with black Roman numerals, an outer railway-track minute division, and a spade hour hand paired with a pointer minute hand.

The signature "DUTTON & CO LONDON" appears below the center arbor, accompanied by a single winding aperture situated above VI. The upper portion of the dial displays the royal cypher "V R" flanking a crown emblem positioned directly over the year "1874".

Evidence for this section
  • “signed "Dutton & Co, London, V R 1874"”
  • “Circular silvered metal dial protected within a glazed brass bezel with right-side hinge”
  • “Dial inscribed with black Roman hour numerals and an outer railway-track minute division”
  • “Signed 'DUTTON & CO LONDON' below the arbor, with a single winding aperture situated above VI”
  • “Upper dial marked 'V R' flanking a crown emblem, directly over the year '1874'”
  • “Spade hour hand and pointer minute hand mounted at the center arbor”

Open research questions

  • What escapement, movement architecture, and winding duration (e.g., eight-day fusee) are utilized internally?
  • Does the movement backplate or case interior feature individual serial numbers or workshop marks?
  • What specific Department of Science and Art building or office in South Kensington originally utilized this timepiece?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bracket timepiece in mahogany case with silvered dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerDutton and Company“maker: Dutton and Company”
Date1874“Made: 1874 in London”
Object Number1990-392“Object Number: 1990-392”
Measurements308 mm x 235 mm x 165 mm“overall: 308 mm x 235 mm x 165 mm”
Materialsmahogany (wood) and metal (unknown)“Materials: mahogany (wood) and metal (unknown)”
SupplierC. Sansom“Supplied by C. Sansom, Montpelier Street, Clockmaker to the Department of Science and Art (South Kensington Museums)”
Display LocationScience Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery“Science Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery”
Credit LineScience Museum (Resource Management Div)“credit: Science Museum (Resource Management Div)”
CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”
Typebracket clock“type: bracket clock”

Visible details

  • Rectangular polished mahogany case featuring a stepped plinth base and molded top cornice
  • Circular silvered metal dial protected within a glazed brass bezel with right-side hinge
  • Dial inscribed with black Roman hour numerals and an outer railway-track minute division
  • Signed 'DUTTON & CO LONDON' below the arbor, with a single winding aperture situated above VI
  • Upper dial marked 'V R' flanking a crown emblem, directly over the year '1874'
  • Spade hour hand and pointer minute hand mounted at the center arbor
  • Applied rectangular molded wooden panel situated below the dial on the front face

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement mechanism, escapement details, and rear case are not visible in the photograph
  • Exact alloy of the metal components is catalogued by the source as unknown

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

Consulted source

Bracket timepiece in mahogany case with silvered dial | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3b5242fc41

Terms in this record

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

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