Clock
William Croft
Category
Horology
Date
Unknown
Materials
Mahogany, satinwood, boxwood, brass, steel, glass, painted iron
Measurements
445 x 315 x 205 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Hatchlands Park, Surrey
NT 1166449
Summary
Eight day English striking balloon clock in mahogany and satinwood case, by William Croft, London, c.1800. Two train, five pillar fusee movement with half-dead-beat escapement and steel pendulum rod, signed in engraved oval cartouche on backplate: “Willm Croft / London”. Rack hour-striking on bell. There is a pendulum securing bar across the lower part of the inside of the case. The pendulum has an inverted rating nut, above the pendulum bob (turn to the left to make the clock gain). There is a considerable amount of inked graffiti inside the bell, mostly indecipherable, but one part reading: “ H Wickes Sept. 1851”. The movement has a strike/silent device, but this does not appear to have ever been operative. Circular white-painted dial with roman numerals and pierced gilt-brass hands. Mahogany and satinwood veneered balloon style case with stringing and cross-banding, and with a shell motif on the front of the case below the dial. The rear door has a red silk-lined, lacquered brass fret, the brass concave bezel retains a convex glass over the dial and the case stands on fluted and gadrooned brass bracket feet.
Makers and roles
William Croft, horologist