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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Wall clock

Gerrard Donking Wall Clock

Partially verified

This wall clock, attributed to the maker Gerrard Donking of Liverpool, dates to circa 1850. The timepiece is housed in a mahogany case and features a convex white-painted dial with black Roman numerals. The hands are iron with a spade-shaped design. The maker's name, "G. Donking," and the origin, "Liverpool," are inscribed on the dial. The clock is powered by an eight-day duration fusee movement. The mahogany case is equipped with a side door and a lockable bottom door, providing access to the internal components and the pendulum. The auction description notes the presence of natural wear on the dial edges and a patina on the metal and wooden surfaces.

Front view of the Gerrard Donking wall clock showing the white convex dial, iron spade hands, and mahogany surround.
Front view of the Gerrard Donking wall clock showing the white convex dial, iron spade hands, and mahogany surround. — Pendulum of Mayfair. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Wall clock
Maker / attribution
Gerrard Donking
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1850
Source-reported place
انگلستان

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 and Dial

The wall clock is constructed within a mahogany case, designed with a circular face and a polished brass bezel. The wooden structure includes both a lateral door and a lockable door positioned at the base, which allows access to the clock's pendulum and the mechanical components of the movement.

The dial is convex in profile, finished in a white-painted surface that serves as the background for the time display. It features traditional Roman numerals applied in black, and the time is indicated by a pair of spade-shaped iron hands.

Inscriptions are present on the dial, naming the maker as G. Donking and identifying the origin as Liverpool. There are noted signs of wear along the lower edge of the dial, alongside a patina developed on the case and metal components.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه ساخته‌شده از چوب ماهون (Mahogany) مرغوب”
  • “صفحه ساعت فرم محدب (convex) داشته و با پس‌زمینه رنگ‌آمیزی‌شده سفید تزئین شده است”
  • “نام سازنده «G. Donking» به همراه شهر مبدأ «Liverpool» با دستخط ظریف در مرکز صفحه نقش بسته است”

Movement and Functionality

The timekeeping mechanism is a fusee spring-driven movement, a configuration intended to maintain energy delivery to the escapement for increased accuracy. This mechanism is rated for an eight-day duration per full winding.

The clock is accessed through a side door and a secure locking door on the bottom of the mahogany case, which allows for regular maintenance and winding of the fusee system.

Evidence for this section
  • “مکانیزم این ساعت از نوع محرک فنری زنجیری/فیوزه (fusee spring-driven) است”
  • “مدت زمان کارکرد این موتور با یک بار کوک کامل، ۸ روز اعلام شده است”

Condition and Maintenance

Visual inspection reveals natural minor wear present on the lower edge of the white dial. The surfaces of the wooden case and the metal elements display an aged patina.

The source provides no specific information regarding the date of the most recent service or the physical dimensions of the timepiece. Prospective owners are encouraged to inspect the status of the fusee chain, the condition of the mainspring, the integrity of the pendulum, and the functionality of the bottom door lock.

Evidence for this section
  • “در تصاویر موجود، ساییدگی‌های جزئی طبیعی در لبه پایینی صفحه سفیدرنگ و پتینه اصیل بر روی سطوح فلزی و چوبی به چشم می‌خورد”
  • “مجموعه‌داران محترم پیش از خرید بهتر است سلامت زنجیر یا کابل فیوزه، وضعیت فنر اصلی و پاندول، و همچنین کارکرد قفل درب زیرین را به صورت مجزا مورد ارزیابی قرار دهند”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific provenance or previous ownership history of this clock?
  • Are there any specific watchmaking records for a 'Gerrard Donking' active in Liverpool circa 1850?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gerrard Donking Wall Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGerrard Donking“Gerrard Donking”
Place of originLiverpool, England“ساخت Gerrard Donking در لیورپول (انگلستان)”
Datecirca 1850“حدود سال ۱۸۵۰”
Mechanism type8-day fusee spring-driven“مکانیزم این ساعت از نوع محرک فنری زنجیری/فیوزه (fusee spring-driven) است”
Case materialMahogany“بدنه ساخته‌شده از چوب ماهون (Mahogany)”
Dial configurationConvex dial“صفحه ساعت فرم محدب (convex) داشته”
InscriptionsG. Donking, Liverpool“نام سازنده «G. Donking» به همراه شهر مبدأ «Liverpool» با دستخط ظریف در مرکز صفحه نقش بسته است”

Visible details

  • Convex white-painted dial with black Roman numerals
  • Mahogany case with polished brass bezel
  • Spade-shaped iron hands
  • Lockable bottom door access

Research qualifications

  • Unverified current mechanical health of fusee chain or cable
  • Unknown maintenance history of the mainspring and pendulum

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

Consulted source

Antique Wall Clock by Gerrard Donking – Liverpool C1850

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 64ff7e4285

Terms in this record

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