Clock mechanism
Unknown
Category
Horology
Date
circa 1820
Materials
Iron, brass and bronze.
Place of origin
Lancaster
Collection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1181224.1
Summary
An eight day striking turret clock of a double or chair frame construction, probably by Joyce of Whitchurch, c1820. 2 Train, 4 pillar movement of double frame construction, with anchor escapement, wood rod pendulum and pinned locking plate striking. The movement also has Harrison's maintaining power. With a convex copper dial originally painted black and gilt. Steel hands and gilt Roman numerals.
Full description
An two train, eight day striking turret clock of a double or chair frame construction, c1820. It is unsigned but was probably made by Joyce of Whitchurch or in the Lancaster area. It has one repairer's mark 'Davis & Cooper'; the address is indistinct. It has a cast iron frame of what is usually known as 'double or chair frame' construction - that is with the weight line barrels of greater length that the train wheel arbours (spindles) above, this giving the frame an 'L' shape. The front barrel support frame is usually separate but in this case the maker has managed to cast the whole front frame in one piece. The wheels are of brass, as are the barrel bushings but the train wheel bushes are unusually of a very pale alloy, possibly a high tin bronze similar to bell metal, though they have been riveted in place and therefore cannot be so hard. It has an anchor recoil escapement driving the pendulum through an articulated knife edge crutch. It is fitted with Harrison's maintaining power to keep the clock running whilst it is being wound. The Striking train is controlled by a locking plate. The 12-1 dial motion-work gearing is unusually built directly onto the back movement. There is no setting dial and the exterior hands are set by direct manipulation.
Provenance
Part of the original bequest of the property in 1952.
Makers and roles
Unknown , maker