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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

John Walker English Four Glass Fusee Mantel Clock

Partially verified

According to the source, this English four-glass mantel clock dates to circa 1845 and features a case constructed of Honduran mahogany. The cabinet is detailed with gadrooned borders, a fluted top, and a wave-form base. A square engraved gilt brass dial presents Roman numerals amidst scrolling floral and foliage engraving. The dial is inscribed with the signature Walker, 230 Regent St London, and the source notes the movement bedplate is signed John Walker London. The mechanism is described as a chain-driven fusee with maintaining power and an oversized jeweled balance wheel platform escapement.

Front view of the John Walker four-glass mahogany mantel clock with engraved gilt brass dial
Front view of the John Walker four-glass mahogany mantel clock with engraved gilt brass dial — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
John Walker
Reference
RHOL 1611
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Circa 1845
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

Identity and Signatures

The clock is attributed by the dealer to maker John Walker and assigned a date of "Circa 1845". The dial center is inscribed with the signature "Walker, 230 Regent St London".

The source listing states that the movement bedplate bears an additional signature reading "John Walker London". This internal inscription is not visible in the front photograph and rests entirely on the dealer's transcription.

Evidence for this section
  • “Circa 1845”
  • “Walker, 230 Regent St London”
  • “bedplate, reading John Walker London”

Case Form and Construction

According to the source, the case is constructed of "Honduran mahogany" and measures "12″ High x 9″ Wide x 7″ Deep". The description notes that "beveled glass panels surround the clock on all sides" with decorative carving incorporating "gadrooned borders, a fluted top, and a wave form base".

Direct visual observation shows a square glazed front aperture, a carved fluted crest, gadrooned mouldings above a stepped plinth, and a shaped apron base. A winding key is visible protruding from the left side of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Honduran mahogany, gadrooned borders, a fluted top, and a wave form base”
  • “beveled glass panels surround the clock on all sides”
  • “12″ High x 9″ Wide x 7″ Deep”
  • “Carved fluted crest and gadrooned borders on a stepped plinth over a shaped apron base”
  • “Winding key visible protruding from the left side of the case”

Dial and Reported Mechanism

The dial is a square engraved gilt brass plate featuring an engraved Roman numeral chapter ring, an open spade or trefoil hour hand, and a straight minute hand. Scrollwork engraving fills the corners and dial center, and a single winding aperture is positioned above numeral VI.

The internal mechanism is described in the listing as having an "early oversized and jeweled balance wheel platform escapement" and "maintaining power on a chain-driven fusee". Because only the front exterior of the clock is pictured, these mechanical features cannot be verified from the image.

Evidence for this section
  • “engraved gilt brass Roman numeral dial”
  • “Elaborate scrollwork engravings decorate the dial mask and center”
  • “early oversized and jeweled balance wheel platform escapement”
  • “maintaining power on a chain-driven fusee”
  • “Single winding aperture positioned directly above the VI numeral”
  • “Open spade or trefoil hour hand and straight minute hand”

Condition and Dealer Terms

The seller states that the clock "bears a complete restoration and a one-year warranty". Specific past interventions, component replacements, or servicing methods are not detailed in the source.

Physical inspection is constrained by the single frontal photograph; the beveling of the side and rear glass panels, the backplate inscription, and the internal platform escapement are unverified beyond seller statements.

Evidence for this section
  • “bears a complete restoration and a one-year warranty”

Open research questions

  • What specific type of platform escapement is fitted to the movement (e.g., lever, cylinder), and does it retain original jeweling?
  • Does the movement backplate or bedplate carry any serial numbers or batch marks alongside the John Walker inscription?
  • What specific restoration work was performed on the movement and mahogany case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for John Walker English Four Glass Fusee Mantel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial signatureWalker, 230 Regent St London“Walker, 230 Regent St London”
Backplate signatureJohn Walker London“John Walker London”
Case materialHonduran mahogany“Honduran mahogany”
EscapementBalance wheel platform escapement“oversized and jeweled balance wheel platform escapement”
Movement driveChain-driven fusee with maintaining power“maintaining power on a chain-driven fusee”
Dimensions12″ High x 9″ Wide x 7″ Deep“12″ High x 9″ Wide x 7″ Deep”
SKURHOL 1611“SKU: RHOL 1611”

Visible details

  • Square engraved gilt brass dial with Roman numeral chapter ring and elaborate foliage scrollwork
  • Carved fluted crest and gadrooned borders on a stepped plinth over a shaped apron base
  • Single winding aperture positioned directly above the VI numeral
  • Winding key visible protruding from the left side of the case
  • Open spade or trefoil hour hand and straight minute hand

Research qualifications

  • Chain-driven fusee, maintaining power, and platform escapement mechanism are interior components not visible in the front photograph
  • Inscriptions on the movement bedplate and case glass panels on sides/rear cannot be verified from the single provided image
  • Restoration history and warranty terms are dealer-stated

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

Consulted source

English Four Glass Case Chain-Driven Fusee Mantel Clock - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record abde2dbe99

Terms in this record

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

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