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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

English Engraved Ormolu Carriage Clock

Partially verified

This English ormolu carriage clock dates to circa 1830 and measures 6 1/8 inches in height. According to source documentation, the gilded case is chased and engraved with scenes including riverscapes with a cathedral and castle, an elevated castle, and sailing vessels on a stormy sea. The auction house states the movement is chain and fusee driven with retaining power, equipped with a plain three-armed balance wheel and a lever escapement visible through a top bubble glass.

Front view of the English engraved ormolu carriage clock
Front view of the English engraved ormolu carriage clock — Freeman's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
freemansauction.com
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
169
Source-reported date
Circa 1830
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 and Ornamentation

The clock is housed in a rectangular ormolu case supported by short, flattened feet. The structure incorporates classical architectural elements, featuring fluted columns flanking the front corners of the dial.

The case surfaces are described as finely chased and engraved with distinct iconography, including scenes of a cathedral and castle within riverscapes, a castle on higher ground, and sailing vessels depicted upon a stormy sea.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt-brass or ormolu rectangular case supported on short flattened feet”
  • “Fluted classical columns flank the front corners of the case”
  • “the case finely engraved and chased with a cathedral and castle in riverscapes, a castle on a higher ground and sailing vessels in a stormy sea”

Dial and Visual Appointments

The dial is fronted by a gilt-brass mask featuring detailed foliate and scroll engraving surrounding a Roman numeral chapter ring. At the center arbor, the clock is fitted with blue-steel hands.

The top plate features four spherical finials at the corners and a raised circular glass bubble, which provides external visibility to the internal escapement mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt dial mask featuring detailed foliate and scroll engraving surrounding a Roman numeral chapter ring”
  • “Blue-steel hands mounted at the center arbor”
  • “Four spherical finials positioned at the corners of the upper plate”
  • “Raised circular glass bubble set in the top plate over the escapement”

Movement and Mechanical Configuration

The clock is powered by a chain and fusee movement, reported to include retaining power. The regulatory system consists of a lever escapement and a plain, three-armed balance wheel.

Mechanical specifications and internal details are reported by the cataloguer; these elements are not fully visible in the available frontal imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “chain and fusee movement with retaining power”
  • “the lever escapement set in a bubble, the balance wheel plain with three arms”

Open research questions

  • Are there hidden maker's marks or signatures on the movement plates or internal case surfaces?
  • Does the engraving style on the case conform to documented workshops operating in the 1830s?
  • What is the condition of the internal fusee chain and balance wheel assembly?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for English Engraved Ormolu Carriage Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Height6 1/8 inches“Height 6 1/8 inches.”
DateCirca 1830“Circa 1830”
EscapementLever escapement set in a bubble“the lever escapement set in a bubble”
Balance WheelPlain with three arms“the balance wheel plain with three arms”
Movement MechanismChain and fusee movement with retaining power“chain and fusee movement with retaining power.”
Height6 1/8 inches“Height 6 1/8 inches.”
DateCirca 1830“Circa 1830”
Included AccessoryWinding key“We have a winding key that fits (the smaller end of the key) as shown in the photo.”

Visible details

  • Gilt-brass or ormolu rectangular case supported on short flattened feet
  • Fluted classical columns flank the front corners of the case
  • Gilt dial mask featuring detailed foliate and scroll engraving surrounding a Roman numeral chapter ring
  • Blue-steel hands mounted at the center arbor
  • Four spherical finials positioned at the corners of the upper plate
  • Raised circular glass bubble set in the top plate over the escapement

Research qualifications

  • No maker's mark or signature is recorded or visible on the dial
  • Movement mechanical specifications and side panel engravings are reported by the source cataloguer and not fully verifiable from the single frontal image

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

Consulted source

An English Engraved Ormolu Carriage Clock | Freeman's

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record d2e9c3acad

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

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