Clock · Falling ball clock

Harding & Bazeley falling ball clock

Partially verified

This twentieth-century brass falling ball clock is attributed by the auction house to Harding & Bazeley of Cheltenham, with its single-train movement signed 'SINCLAIR HARDING & CO ENGLAND'. Constructed with an architectural brass frame featuring four column supports, it is set beneath an upper scrolling track and positioned above a central paddle wheel holding spherical steel balls. The clock rests upon an oak plinth raised on four ball feet. Measuring 35 cm high, the movement is powered by the weight of the rolling balls and is regulated by a vertically mounted lever platform escapement.

Front view of the Harding & Bazeley falling ball clock showing the brass dial, movement frame, steel balls, and oak base — Chiswick Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.invaluable.com
Category: Clock · Falling ball clock
Maker / attribution: Harding & Bazeley / Sinclair Harding & Co
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 420
Source-reported date: 20th Century
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

Attribution and Identification

The lot is catalogued by the auctioneer as a 20th-century brass falling ball clock attributed to Harding & Bazeley of Cheltenham. The movement itself is recorded as signed 'SINCLAIR HARDING & CO ENGLAND'.

The cataloguing does not elaborate on the relationship between the title attribution to Harding & Bazeley and the movement marking 'SINCLAIR HARDING & CO ENGLAND'.

Evidence for this section

“A 20TH CENTURY BRASS FALLING BALL CLOCK BY HARDING & BAZELEY, CHELTENHAM”
“the movement signed 'SINCLAIR HARDING & CO ENGLAND'”

Structural Frame and Base

The clock measures 35 cm high and is constructed with a 'brass frame with four column supports below a scrolling track'. It is set upon an 'oak plinth above four ball feet'.

Visual observations record an open brass frame with four columnar corner uprights and finials, a curved upper track loaded with steel balls, and a moulded wooden base on turned brass feet.

Evidence for this section

“the brass frame with four column supports below a scrolling track”
“raised on an oak plinth above four ball feet”
“35cm high”
“Open brass frame featuring four columnar corner uprights and finials”
“Curved upper track system loaded with multiple steel balls”
“Moulded wooden base on turned brass feet, featuring a brass plaque at the front”

Mechanism and Dial Configuration

The movement is a single train assembly driven by steel balls. The cataloguing describes 'the central wheel supporting the balls powering the single train movement' situated above 'a paddle wheel carrying the steel balls', regulated by a 'vertically mounted lever platform escapement'.

The time is indicated on a dial recorded as signed and featuring Roman numerals. Observations note a central circular brass dial with an engraved Roman numeral chapter ring and dark hands.

Evidence for this section

“above a paddle wheel carrying the steel balls”
“the central wheel supporting the balls powering the single train movement, with vertically mounted lever platform escapement”
“the signed dial with Roman numerals”
“Central circular brass dial with an engraved Roman numeral chapter ring and dark hands”
“Paddle wheel visible behind and around the dial for receiving and descending the spherical balls”

Open research questions

What specific text appears on the dial signature, and does it read Harding & Bazeley or Sinclair Harding & Co?
How many spherical steel balls were originally supplied with this clock model?
Was this model originally accompanied by a glass display dome?
What is the precise dating or serial sequence associated with the Sinclair Harding & Co movement stamping?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Harding & Bazeley falling ball clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker Attribution	Harding & Bazeley, Cheltenham	“A 20TH CENTURY BRASS FALLING BALL CLOCK BY HARDING & BAZELEY, CHELTENHAM”
Movement Signature	SINCLAIR HARDING & CO ENGLAND	“the movement signed 'SINCLAIR HARDING & CO ENGLAND'”
Escapement	Vertically mounted lever platform escapement	“with vertically mounted lever platform escapement”
Height	35cm high	“35cm high”
Base	Oak plinth above four ball feet	“raised on an oak plinth above four ball feet”
Train Configuration	Single train movement	“powering the single train movement”
Ball Material	Steel	“carrying the steel balls”

Visible details

Open brass frame featuring four columnar corner uprights and finials
Curved upper track system loaded with multiple steel balls
Central circular brass dial with an engraved Roman numeral chapter ring and dark hands
Paddle wheel visible behind and around the dial for receiving and descending the spherical balls
Moulded wooden base on turned brass feet, featuring a brass plaque at the front

Research qualifications

Glass dome is neither mentioned in the lot description nor present in the auction photograph
Exact number of supplied steel balls is not stated in the source text

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: A 20TH CENTURY BRASS FALLING BALL CLOCK BY HARDING & BAZELEY, CHELTENHAM the brass frame with four column supports below a scrolling track above a paddle wheel carrying the steel balls, raised on an oak plinth above four ball feet, the signed dial with Roman numerals, the central wheel supporting the balls powering the single train movement, with vertically mounted lever platform escapement, the movement signed 'SINCLAIR HARDING & CO ENGLAND', 35cm high

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d0d33eb3cb

Terms in this record

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