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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Bracket clock

John Charles Portsea Bracket Clock

Partially verified

This antique English bracket clock, attributed to the Regency period, is constructed with a mahogany case featuring decorative upper moldings and fluted corners. The timepiece is signed by John Charles, based in Portsea, England, with the maker's name appearing on both the dial and the brass backplate of the movement. Measuring 40 cm in height including its finial, the clock features a dial with Roman numerals, darkened hands, and engraved scrollwork. Internally, it is powered by an eight-day mechanical movement utilizing a double fusee system, which governs the transfer of spring power to the gear train. An integrated bell serves as the strike mechanism. The clock is equipped with side-mounted ring handles for portability.

Front view of the antique English mahogany bracket clock signed by John Charles Portsea.
Front view of the antique English mahogany bracket clock signed by John Charles Portsea. — Dutch Time Pieces. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Bracket clock
Maker / attribution
John Charles
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa early 19th century
Source-reported place
England

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 Construction

The clock is housed in an English mahogany case designed with Regency period characteristics. The architecture includes a distinct upper finial and decorative fluting at the upper corners. The dial is set within an arched surround, featuring a silvered finish decorated with fine scrollwork and foliate engravings.

The display utilizes black Roman numerals for hour markers and matching dark hands. The maker's signature, "John Charles PORTSEA", is prominently engraved in the lower portion of the dial, indicating the origin of the piece. Side-mounted metal ring handles are provided, consistent with the functional design of portable bracket clocks.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه ساعت از چوب ماهون پرداخت‌شده ساخته شده و دارای قوس‌های تزیینی و شیارهای جناغی در گوشه‌های بالایی است”
  • “نقوش اسلیمی و اسکرول‌های ظریف در بخش پایینی و بالایی صفحه حکاکی شده‌اند و نام سازنده، John Charles Portsea، در بخش تحتانی صفحه درج شده است”

Movement and Technical Features

The timepiece is driven by a mechanical eight-day movement. It utilizes a double fusee system to ensure consistent torque delivery by managing the spring force through a chain or gut drive to the gear train. This arrangement is a conventional feature of English bracket clock design intended to improve timekeeping accuracy.

A bell-striking mechanism is incorporated to sound the hours. The brass backplate of the movement confirms the signature, clearly displaying the text "CHARLES" and "Portsea" engraved directly into the metal surface, which serves as a primary point of identification for the horologist's work.

Evidence for this section
  • “به یک مکانیزم مکانیکی هشت‌روزه با سامانه فیوزی دوگانه (8-day double fusee)”
  • “نام Charles Portsea مستقیماً بر روی برنج موتور حکاکی شده است”

Condition and Attribution

The clock is attributed to the Regency period, placing its manufacture around the early 19th century. The current mechanical condition is not documented by the source, which explicitly states that functional status or recent service history has not been declared by the seller.

Prospective owners are encouraged to examine the structural integrity of the fusee chains, the suspension, the pendulum, and the mainsprings. Verification of the authenticity of all internal components is advised given the lack of specific condition reporting provided for this horological object.

Evidence for this section
  • “فروشنده وضعیت کارکرد دقیق فعلی یا سرویس‌های اخیر را اعلام نکرده است”
  • “به خریداران و مجموعه‌داران توصیه می‌شود پیش از خرید، سلامت فیوزی‌ها، تعلیق و سلامت آونگ، سلامت فنرها و زنگ، و اصالت کلیه قطعات داخلی را به‌دقت ارزیابی کنند”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific operational dates of John Charles of Portsea to refine the dating of this clock?
  • Are there known surviving records or catalogue listings from the Portsea workshop that include this specific movement serial or case design?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for John Charles Portsea Bracket Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJohn Charles Portsea“John Charles Portsea”
MaterialMahogany“بدنه ساعت از چوب ماهون پرداخت‌شده ساخته شده”
Movement8-day double fusee“مکانیزم مکانیکی هشت‌روزه با سامانه فیوزی دوگانه”
Height40 cm“ارتفاع کلی ساعت طبق منبع با احتساب فینیال بالایی ۴۰ سانتی‌متر است”
CountryEngland“ساعت‌ساز John Charles در پورتسی (Portsea، انگلستان) ساخته شده است”
Strike systemBell“مکانیزم زنگ ساعت روی کاسه زنگ فلزی (Bell) ضربه می‌زند”

Visible details

  • Mahogany case with arched dial surround and fluted upper corners.
  • Engraved signature 'John Charles PORTSEA' on the lower dial.
  • Brass backplate engraved with 'CHARLES' and 'Portsea'.
  • Eight-day double fusee mechanical movement with bell strike.

Research qualifications

  • The current functional status and internal condition of the fusees, springs, and pendulum are unverified.
  • The specific date of manufacture is limited to the Regency period attribution provided in the source.

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

Consulted source

Antique English bracket clock

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 35fb2045dd

Terms in this record

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

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