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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Astronomical regulator

Early Victorian Mahogany Astronomical Regulator by Charles Frodsham

Partially verified

This mid-19th-century astronomical regulator clock is housed in a figured mahogany case with a raised hood, bevelled mouldings, and a glazed trunk door displaying a pendulum assembly. The silvered regulator dial features subsidiary dials for seconds and hours alongside an outer minute track, signed for Charles Frodsham, Clock Maker to the Queen, at 84 The Strand, London, numbered 909. Sourced specialist inspection notes indicate jewelled deadbeat pallets, a jewelled escapement, and pallet bearings.

Full frontal view of the Charles Frodsham mahogany astronomical regulator clock
Full frontal view of the Charles Frodsham mahogany astronomical regulator clock — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Clock · Astronomical regulator
Maker / attribution
Charles Frodsham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
108
Source-reported date
Mid-19th Century
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
909

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 Form and Construction

The clock is housed in an early Victorian mahogany case measuring 75 inches (190.5 cm) high, 15 1/2 inches (39.4 cm) wide, and 10 1/2 inches (26.7 cm) deep. The catalogue describes the structure as having a raised hood on a conforming base with bevelled edges and a rectangular base.

Visual inspection of the lot shows a flame mahogany case featuring a stepped hood, a panelled rectangular base and plinth, and a full-length glazed trunk door revealing a pendulum assembly with a cylindrical jar.

Evidence for this section
  • “The raised hood on conforming base with beveled edges and rectangular base”
  • “75 in. (190.5 cm.) high, 15 1 ⁄ 2 in. (39.4 cm.) wide, 10 1 ⁄ 2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep”
  • “Flame mahogany case featuring a stepped hood, panelled rectangular base, and plinth.”
  • “Full-length glazed trunk door revealing a pendulum assembly with a cylindrical jar.”

Dial Configuration and Maker Signature

Visual observation records a silvered astronomical regulator dial configured with an upper subsidiary seconds dial, a lower subsidiary 12-hour dial, and a central minute hand.

The dial is signed ' CHARLES FRODSHAM, No. 84 THE STRAND, LONDON. / Clock Maker to the Queen / 909', noting Charles Frodsham's London Strand address, royal appointment title, and number 909.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered astronomical regulator dial with upper subsidiary seconds dial, lower subsidiary 12-hour dial, and central minute hand.”
  • “the dial signed ' CHARLES FRODSHAM, No. 84 THE STRAND, LONDON. / Clock Maker to the Queen / 909'”

Reported Movement and Escapement Details

Movement interiors are not visible in the catalogue photograph. Mechanical escapement details depend entirely on the auction house condition report notes provided following an inspection with restorer John Metcalfe.

Metcalfe's documented remarks record 'jewelled deadbeat pallettes, jewelled escapement and palette bearings.' Physical accessories included with the clock comprise two keys and one winding key. The auction house notes that it does not guarantee the working order of clock movements.

Evidence for this section
  • “This clock was inspected with restorer John Metcalfe who provided the following remarks: With jewelled deadbeat pallettes, jewelled escapement and palette bearings.”
  • “With two keys and one winding key. Please note Christie's does not gurantee the working order of clock movements.”

Condition Anomalies and Inspection Limits

The auction condition report characterizes the lot as being in good decorative condition, with expected light nicks, marks, and faint scratches consistent with age and use, alongside small dings to extreme edges and one stable crack near where the case meets the base.

Regarding the mechanical suspension, the report notes that the screw connecting the pendulum rod to the pendulum tube is stripped. Internal gear train condition and operational performance are not further specified in the text.

Evidence for this section
  • “In good decorative condition and ready to place. With the expected light nicks, marks and faint scratches, consistent with age and use. With some small dings to extreme edges.”
  • “The srew connecting the penedulum rod to the pendulum tube now stripped.”
  • “With one stable crack near where the case meets the base.”

Open research questions

  • What specific compensation design and filling (e.g., mercurial or gridiron/jar design) are utilized in the pendulum jar of movement 909?
  • Do surviving Charles Frodsham ledger records detail the original customer, commission date, or observatory provenance associated with serial number 909?
  • What intervention or component threading is required to address the reported stripped screw between the pendulum rod and tube?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Early Victorian Mahogany Astronomical Regulator by Charles Frodsham
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial SignatureCHARLES FRODSHAM, No. 84 THE STRAND, LONDON. / Clock Maker to the Queen / 909“the dial signed ' CHARLES FRODSHAM, No. 84 THE STRAND, LONDON. / Clock Maker to the Queen / 909'”
Dimensions75 in. (190.5 cm.) high, 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.) wide, 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep“75 in. (190.5 cm.) high, 15 1 ⁄ 2 in. (39.4 cm.) wide, 10 1 ⁄ 2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep”
Escapement Inspection NotesJewelled deadbeat pallets, jewelled escapement, and pallet bearings“With jewelled deadbeat pallettes, jewelled escapement and palette bearings.”
AccompanimentsTwo keys and one winding key“With two keys and one winding key.”
Working Order PolicyWorking order of movement not guaranteed by Christie's“Please note Christie's does not gurantee the working order of clock movements.”
Inspection CollaboratorInspected with restorer John Metcalfe“This clock was inspected with restorer John Metcalfe who provided the following remarks”

Visible details

  • Silvered astronomical regulator dial with upper subsidiary seconds dial, lower subsidiary 12-hour dial, and central minute hand.
  • Full-length glazed trunk door revealing a pendulum assembly with a cylindrical jar.
  • Flame mahogany case featuring a stepped hood, panelled rectangular base, and plinth.

Research qualifications

  • Movement interior is not visible in the photograph; technical escapement details rely on the auction house condition report.
  • The condition report notes a stripped screw connecting the pendulum rod to the pendulum tube and a stable crack near where the case meets the base.

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

Consulted source

A EARLY VICTORIAN MAHOGANY ASTRONOMICAL REGULATOR, MID-19TH CENTURY, BY CHARLES FRODSHAM, LONDON | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e30058397c

Terms in this record

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

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