Clock · Wall mounted regulator

Dent mahogany wall mounted regulator No. 55557

Partially verified

This early 20th-century English wall-mounted regulator is documented by Bonhams as signed by Dent, clockmaker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 royal Exchange, London, numbered 55557. The rectangular mahogany case features a moulded cornice above a long glazed door with a moulded edge and shaped base. Its 9-inch circular painted dial presents a regulator configuration with subsidiary seconds. According to the auction catalogue, the weight-driven movement incorporates 'wriggle' decorated plates, maintaining power, high-count pinions, and a deadbeat escapement. It is equipped with a wooden rod pendulum terminating in a cylindrical bob, suspended from a cast bracket on the backboard.

Dent mahogany wall-mounted regulator No. 55557 — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bonhams.com
Category: Clock · Wall mounted regulator
Maker / attribution: Dent
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 54
Source-reported date: early 20th century
Country: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 55557

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 Dial Arrangement

The clock is documented by Bonhams as an early 20th-century mahogany wall-mounted regulator bearing the recorded signature 'Dent, clockmaker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 royal Exchange, London, No55557'. In catalogue imagery, dial inscriptions and numbering are not legibly resolvable.

The lot text lists a '9 inch signed painted circular dial with subsidiary seconds'. Direct visual observation confirms a 'Painted regulator dial with outer minute track and separate subsidiary dials', presenting the classic format used for precision timing.

Evidence for this section

“Dent, clockmaker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 royal Exchange, London, No55557”
“9 inch signed painted circular dial with subsidiary seconds”
“Painted regulator dial with outer minute track and separate subsidiary dials”

Case Construction and Observed Layout

The case is constructed from mahogany with an overall catalogued height of '141cm (55in) high'. The auctioneer describes 'The rectangular case with moulded cornice over a long glazed door with moulded edge and shaped base'.

Visual inspection shows a 'Rectangular glazed mahogany wall case displaying the pendulum and driving weight' with a 'Single cylindrical driving weight suspended via a brass pulley to the left' alongside the central pendulum rod.

Evidence for this section

“141cm (55in) high.”
“The rectangular case with moulded cornice over a long glazed door with moulded edge and shaped base”
“Rectangular glazed mahogany wall case displaying the pendulum and driving weight”
“Single cylindrical driving weight suspended via a brass pulley to the left”

Movement and Pendulum Specification

According to Bonhams, the timepiece is powered by a 'weight driven movement with 'wriggle' decorated plates, maintaining power, high count pinions and deadbeat escapement'. These mechanical details are internal and not directly inspectable in the external auction photograph.

The regulating assembly is recorded as a 'wooden rod pendulum and cylindrical bob mounted from a cast bracket on the backboard'. Visible observations identify a 'Long wooden pendulum rod terminating in a cylindrical metallic bob' hanging vertically behind the weight.

Evidence for this section

“weight driven movement with 'wriggle' decorated plates, maintaining power, high count pinions and deadbeat escapement”
“wooden rod pendulum and cylindrical bob mounted from a cast bracket on the backboard”
“Long wooden pendulum rod terminating in a cylindrical metallic bob”

Source Evidence and Verification Limitations

All specifics concerning internal movement components—including the maintaining power, deadbeat escapement, gear pinions, and wriggle-engraved plates—derive exclusively from the auction description and are not observable in the provided view.

Likewise, verification of the maker's inscription, serial number 55557, and early 20th-century dating remains dependent on Bonhams' catalogue transcription, as dial lettering cannot be read directly at photograph resolution.

Evidence for this section

“Dent, clockmaker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 royal Exchange, London, No55557”
“weight driven movement with 'wriggle' decorated plates, maintaining power, high count pinions and deadbeat escapement”

Open research questions

Are the serial number 55557 and Dent address stamped on the movement plates as well as painted on the dial?
What specific metallic composition is used for the cylindrical pendulum bob and brass pulley?
Can the exact configuration of maintaining power and deadbeat escapement pallets be confirmed via internal movement inspection?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Dent mahogany wall mounted regulator No. 55557
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker Signature	Dent, clockmaker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 royal Exchange, London, No55557	“Dent, clockmaker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 royal Exchange, London, No55557”
Dial Description	9 inch signed painted circular dial with subsidiary seconds	“9 inch signed painted circular dial with subsidiary seconds”
Movement Features	'wriggle' decorated plates, maintaining power, high count pinions and deadbeat escapement	“weight driven movement with 'wriggle' decorated plates, maintaining power, high count pinions and deadbeat escapement”
Pendulum	wooden rod pendulum and cylindrical bob mounted from a cast bracket on the backboard	“wooden rod pendulum and cylindrical bob mounted from a cast bracket on the backboard”
Height	141cm (55in) high	“141cm (55in) high.”
Case Design	Rectangular case with moulded cornice, long glazed door with moulded edge, and shaped base	“The rectangular case with moulded cornice over a long glazed door with moulded edge and shaped base”
Auction Sale Price	Sold for £2,280 inc. premium	“Sold for £2,280 inc. premium”

Visible details

Rectangular glazed mahogany wall case displaying the pendulum and driving weight
Painted regulator dial with outer minute track and separate subsidiary dials
Long wooden pendulum rod terminating in a cylindrical metallic bob
Single cylindrical driving weight suspended via a brass pulley to the left

Research qualifications

Movement plates, maintaining power mechanism, and escapement are internal and not directly inspectable in the photograph
Dial signature and serial numbering are not legibly resolvable at image resolution

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : An early 20th century mahogany wall mounted regulator Dent, clockmaker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 royal Exchange, London, No55557

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 55672f5abc

Terms in this record

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