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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Bracket clock

Musical bracket or table clock with calendar and repeating work

Partially verified

This musical bracket or table clock was made by the London clockmaker Eardley Norton (1728–1792). Dating to circa 1780–94, the clock features a case finished with tortoiseshell veneer and ornamented with gilt-bronze mounts. It stands at a height of 16 1/2 inches (41.9 cm). The clock is designed with complex horological functionality, incorporating repeating work and calendar indications. Its dial is painted and mounted within a structure featuring engraved crystal elements. The piece is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art as accession number 1972.22, acquired as a gift from Irwin Untermyer. The overall construction utilizes a mix of veneer, metallic mounts, and decorative crystal,

Frontal view of the musical bracket clock showing the painted dial, calendar aperture, and tortoiseshell case with gilt-bronze mounts.
Frontal view of the musical bracket clock showing the painted dial, calendar aperture, and tortoiseshell case with gilt-bronze mounts. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1972. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Clock · Bracket clock
Maker / attribution
Eardley Norton
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1972.22
Source-reported date
ca. 1780–94
Source-reported place
British, London

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 Design

The clock is housed in a bracket-style case characterized by the extensive use of tortoiseshell veneer. The exterior form is complemented by applied gilt-bronze mounts that provide decoration to the base, the domed top, and the side panels. A figurative gilt-bronze finial is positioned at the peak of the dome.

Visual inspection confirms the inclusion of engraved crystal elements, which appear on the front door panel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Tortoiseshell veneer and engraved crystal, gilt-bronze mounts; painted dial”
  • “Height: 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)”

Dial and Horological Features

The clock is equipped with a painted dial that integrates calendar functions alongside the primary timekeeping display. The dial layout includes indications within a subsidiary aperture located in the upper portion of the clock face.

The movement is identified by the presence of repeating work, a mechanical feature designed to sound the time upon request. The painted surfaces and the surrounding metalwork maintain a visual cohesion with the decorative scheme of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Musical bracket or table clock with calendar and repeating work”

Maker and Provenance

The clock is attributed to Eardley Norton, an eighteenth-century clockmaker based in London. Norton's active period is recorded as 1728–1792, and the dating of this specific object is estimated to fall between circa 1780 and 1794.

The clock was donated to The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Irwin Untermyer in 1972 and is catalogued under the accession number 1972.22. The identification and dating provided by the institution reflect the museum's records for this specific specimen.

Evidence for this section
  • “Clockmaker: Eardley Norton (British, Lincolnshire 1728–1792 London)”
  • “Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1972”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific sequence of the musical chime mechanism?
  • Does the serial number exist internally to further refine the dating within the 1780–94 range?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Musical bracket or table clock with calendar and repeating work
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerEardley Norton“Clockmaker: Eardley Norton (British, Lincolnshire 1728–1792 London)”
Dateca. 1780–94“ca. 1780–94”
MaterialsTortoiseshell veneer, gilt-bronze, crystal, paint“Tortoiseshell veneer and engraved crystal, gilt-bronze mounts; painted dial”
Dimensions16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)“Height: 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)”
Museum Number1972.22“1972.22”
ProvenanceGift of Irwin Untermyer“Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1972”

Visible details

  • Case features tortoiseshell veneer finish
  • Gilt-bronze figure surmounts the dome
  • Painted dial includes calendar indicators
  • Engraved crystal panels on the case

Research qualifications

  • Date range is approximate
  • Wider type classification is not independently verified

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

Consulted source

Musical bracket or table clock with calendar and repeating work, Eardley Norton, ca. 1780–94

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 0b0b8cae42

Terms in this record

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

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