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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Regulator floor clock

Early Victorian mahogany regulator with 24-hour dial, attributed to Barraud, London

Partially verified

This early Victorian mahogany regulator stands 201 cm high and features a shallow-arched hood over a circular glazed dial opening, a glazed trunk door, and a plinth base. Its 11-inch circular silvered dial is signed Barraud, London, configured with sweep minutes and subsidiary dials for seconds and 24 hours. The source reports that the movement incorporates substantial plates with angled shoulders, six large turned pillars, wheels with six crossings, maintaining power, and a deadbeat escapement. It is designed with a glazed mercurial pendulum suspended from an 'A'-frame mounted on the seatboard.

Early Victorian mahogany regulator with 24-hour dial, attributed to Barraud, London
Early Victorian mahogany regulator with 24-hour dial, attributed to Barraud, London — Bellmans. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
app.bellmans.co.uk
Category
Clock · Regulator floor clock
Maker / attribution
Barraud
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
712
Source-reported date
Early Victorian
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

Case Construction

The clock measures 201 cm in height and features a shallow-arched hood and a plinth base. The case is constructed from mahogany, with the source noting well-figured veneers on the hood and base. A rectangular glazed panel is present in the trunk door to reveal the pendulum.

The auction report notes several modifications to the case, including filled holes on the sides and backboard. The seatboard contains multiple vacant and filled holes, as well as additional fixing points for the pendulum 'A'-frame, which the source suggests may have been repositioned.

Evidence for this section
  • “201cm high”
  • “We’ll figured veneers to the front, especially to the hood and base.”
  • “Holes filled on backboard behind movement with a relatively modern wood filler.”
  • “Three small vacant holes and two filled holes in seatboard between lower pillars.”

Dial and Movement

The 11-inch circular silvered dial is signed 'Barraud, London' and is configured with sweep minutes and subsidiary dials for seconds and 24 hours. The movement features substantial plates with canted upper corners, six large turned pillars, and wheels with six crossings. It is fitted with maintaining power and a deadbeat escapement.

The auction house reports that the movement and dial are unnumbered and questions the originality of the dial, citing the discrepancy in the turning style of the dial feet compared to the movement pillars. The source further speculates the dial could be a replacement.

Evidence for this section
  • “11in. circular silvered dial, signed [perhaps a replacement?]”
  • “Unusually for Barraud the movement and dial is unnumbered.”
  • “The style of the turning to the foot of the dial feet does not match the foot turning of the pillars.”

Pendulum and Condition

The movement uses a glazed mercurial pendulum suspended from an 'A'-frame mounted to the seatboard. The current suspension block is noted as a replacement, and the beat adjustment bridge contains spare holes and locators potentially associated with a previous suspension arrangement.

The movement is noted as dusty and requires a full service. The mercury for the pendulum is stored separately from the clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “the glazed mercurial pendulum suspended from a substantial ‘A’-frame mounted on the seatboard”
  • “The current suspension block is clearly a replacement.”
  • “The substantial movement has been well cared for over the years but is now dusty and will require a full service before running.”

Open research questions

  • Are there known examples of unnumbered Barraud regulators that match these specific movement characteristics?
  • Could the 'A'-frame mounting on the seatboard be an indicator of a later movement adaptation to this case?
  • What specific archival records, if any, exist for Barraud regulators of this configuration?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Early Victorian mahogany regulator with 24-hour dial, attributed to Barraud, London
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Attributed makerBarraud, London“By Barraud, London”
Dial diameter11 inches“the 11in. circular silvered dial”
Height201 cm“201cm high”
EscapementDeadbeat escapement“deadbeat escapement and maintaining power”
Pendulum typeGlazed mercurial pendulum on 'A'-frame“the glazed mercurial pendulum suspended from a substantial ‘A’-frame mounted on the seatboard”
Height201 cm“201cm high”
Dial diameter11 inches“11in. circular silvered dial”
EscapementDeadbeat“deadbeat escapement and maintaining power”

Visible details

  • Slender mahogany longcase clock with well-figured flame veneers on the plinth and hood.
  • Glazed aperture in the trunk door reveals the pendulum chamber.
  • Silvered regulator dial layout with central minute hand and separate upper and lower subsidiary registers.

Research qualifications

  • The auction house questions whether the dial signature is a replacement and notes the movement and dial are unnumbered.
  • The mercury is stored separately and the current suspension block is noted as a replacement.
  • The movement is noted to be dusty and requires servicing before running.

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

Consulted source

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 9804fd3711

Terms in this record

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