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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Regulator clock

Early Victorian Mahogany Regulator Clock

Partially verified

According to the auctioneer, this early Victorian mahogany regulator clock dates to circa 1850 and measures 197 cm high. The hood, which lacks its moulded pediment and has a canvas cover, features a glazed circular brass bezel surrounded by four foliate spandrels and canted angles. The trunk includes a hinged glazed door, resting on a moulded base with a stepped foot. The 13-inch white-painted regulator dial has a sweep minute hand and two subsidiary dials. The movement features waisted plates, wheelwork with six crossings, pinned pinions, a deadbeat escapement with adjustable jewelled pallets, and outward flared escape wheel teeth.

Full front view of the Early Victorian mahogany regulator clock
Full front view of the Early Victorian mahogany regulator clock — Bellmans. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
app.bellmans.co.uk
Category
Clock · Regulator clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
18
Source-reported date
Circa 1850
Country
Not established

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 Construction and Condition

This regulator clock is housed in a mahogany case measuring 197 cm in height. The hood features a circular glazed brass bezel flanked by four foliate spandrels and canted angles. A structural loss is recorded in the hood, which lacks its original moulded pediment and currently features a canvas cover.

The trunk contains a hinged glazed door, allowing visibility of the pendulum. The base design follows a moulded outline and terminates in a stepped foot. The case is described as being in original condition with some marks and knocks.

Evidence for this section
  • “The hood, now lacking its moulded pediment and with a canvas cover”
  • “the trunk inset with a hinged glazed door”
  • “197cm high”
  • “Otherwise in good original condition, some marks and knocks consistent with age.”

Dial and Timekeeping Components

The 13-inch white-painted dial is configured with a sweep minute hand and two subsidiary dials. Reported condition indicates some paint loss on the dial surface. The timekeeping mechanism includes a wood rod pendulum with a heavy brass bob and a brass-cased weight.

The movement is constructed with waisted plates and large wheelwork featuring six crossings. It utilizes pinned pinions and a deadbeat escapement. A feature of the escape wheel is its outward-flared teeth, paired with adjustable jewelled pallets.

Evidence for this section
  • “13in white-painted dial with sweep minute hand and two subsidiaries”
  • “movement with waisted plates, large wheel work of six crossings, pinned pinions”
  • “deadbeat escapement with adjustable jewelled pallets, the escape wheel teeth with remarkable outward flared teeth”
  • “The dial has some paint loss.”

Provenance and Mechanism Status

The maker of this instrument is recorded as anonymous. The movement is reported by the source to be in good order, though it notes it may not have been cleaned recently.

Operational adjustments are supported by a beat adjustment mechanism on the crutch and a brass pulley guide for the weight. The unit is accompanied by a modern brass crank key and two steel case keys.

Evidence for this section
  • “Anonymous”
  • “The movement appears in good order although perhaps not cleaned recently”
  • “beat adjustment to the crutch and brass pulley guide for the weight”
  • “modern brass crank key”
  • “Two steel case keys”

Open research questions

  • What is the intended technical significance of the outward-flared escape wheel teeth?
  • Does the 'waisted' plate configuration correlate with a specific geographical school of regulator clockmaking?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Early Victorian Mahogany Regulator Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
DateCirca 1850“Circa 1850”
Height197 cm“197cm high”
Dial Size13 inches“13in white-painted dial”
EscapementDeadbeat escapement with adjustable jewelled pallets“deadbeat escapement with adjustable jewelled pallets”
WheelworkSix crossings“large wheel work of six crossings”
MaterialMahogany“AN EARLY VICTORIAN MAHOGANY HIGH_QUALITY UNUSUAL REGULATOR”
DateCirca 1850“Circa 1850”
Height197 cm“197cm high”
EscapementDeadbeat with adjustable jewelled pallets“deadbeat escapement with adjustable jewelled pallets”

Visible details

  • Glazed circular brass bezel framed by four carved foliate spandrels in the hood.
  • Glazed rectangular aperture in the trunk door displaying the interior.
  • Stepped rectangular base with figured wood paneling.

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the hood lacks its original moulded pediment and retains a canvas cover.
  • Source notes the dial has some paint loss.
  • Maker is listed as anonymous by the auction house.

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

Consulted source

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 631e0594a6

Terms in this record

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

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