Search Results for: london clocks

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World War I Impact on Clock Making Industry

We all owe a huge debt to the brave souls that lost their lives in WWI and WWII. They protected us in this country and providing the freedom we now have today. With 100 years since the start of World War I, I would like to write a short blog as my form of dedication and memory to them.

Clock Factories Change Production

In an effort to help us win World War One clock factories in the UK changed production from things like clocks to military hardware. Smiths and Sons based in Cricklewood, were one such company, they were established in 1851 had a very technical workforce. As well as clocks that were needed for the war effort, they helped with things like fuse production. This company also produced the first odometer and speedometer. We are all in this together was not just a saying but in real action during the war years. Everyone chipped in with helping with the war effort, and confronting the foe that stood before us.

John King Clock

We have just had the honour of restoring for sale a superb antique grandfather clock by John King of London. It is not often you get any real history or insight into what was going on through periods of the clocks life. With this clock we get an insight into what war life was like in WWI in our antique clock repair department.

Engraved on the movement are the following things that really sends a shiver to the spine.

Cleaned & Repaired By W.U.Holmes  September 1914

‘At war with Germany & Austria and still smiling ‘

Later Engraved in Nov/December 1917

‘War still on. But no smiles now.’ W.U.Holmes

You really get the impact on life, through this small engraving. The effect of the war years by a horologist at the time. When I am ever miserable or think I wish I had this or that, I think back to conditions and hardships back during wartime. I realize just how lucky most of us are today.

Debt of gratitude

My thoughts go out to all those who gave up their lives so we have our freedom that we live with today. We owe a great debt to women during the World War’s who manned most of the factories at home whilst their husbands were fighting on the front line. They made ammunitions and things vital to the war effort.

https://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk

War time engraving still visible DSC_0088 DSC_0089

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Pendulum of Mayfair Joins Theo Paphitis #SBS Winners Club

 Exclusive Club of Theo Paphitis #SBS Winners

The 11th August 2014 was a special day for Pendulum of Mayfair. We managed to receive the prized retweet from Dragon’s Den entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis. Pendulum now joins the ranks of the exclusive club of Small Business Sunday (#SBS) winners. For Theo to pick our business amongst the thousands that tweet to him every Sunday. We are deeply honoured.

Theo Paphitis Loves Antique Clocks

A very successful businessman. The owner of various major retailers Ryman the Stationers. Robert Dyas, Red Letter Days and Boux Avenue. He also has many other business interests and is still working on many tv programs. Even after his sad retirement from Dragons Den. There are many millions of fans of that program. His input to this series was amazing.

Theo Paphitis is a champion of Small Business

Theo is also a champion of small business’s. His initiative to help small business promote themselves. This was the formation on twitter of #SBS, standing for Small Business Sunday. Each Sunday between 5-7:30pm, business owners tweet Theo. They explain in no more than 140 characters why they would make worthy winners. The best 6 businesses are chosen from the hundreds of entries to retweet to his over 440,000 followers. These business’s can then join the growing #SBS family. Winning businesses then complete an entry on Theo’s SBS website, promoting their services through the directory of winners. Our new listing can be found here: Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday Winners

What does it mean?

“I’m feeling so proud of what we’ve achieved. Although winning the Theo Paphitis #SBS award has come as a complete shock.” says Daniel Clements. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the messages of support received on Twitter and the huge number of new followers we’ve attracted already. It’s an amazing honour to join such a wonderful group of businesses and a lovely new community of friends.”

I decided to post our tweet alongside our lovely antique clocks in our London shop, the winning tweet was short and sweet – @TheoPaphitis – For only the most genuine fully restored antique clocks – pendulumofmayfair.co.uk #SBS

The moment I realized Theo Paphitis had chose Pendulum of Mayfair as one of 6 businesses to retweet
The moment I realized Theo Paphitis had chosen Pendulum of Mayfair as one of 6 businesses to retweet

Some of the finest antique clocks available

Genuine and fully restored antique clocks are the cornerstone of our business ever since we started 20 years ago Pendulum of Mayfair and for over 40 years with Coppelia Antiques. Furthermore we have grown year on year from a small base to now stocking some of the finest antique clocks. Also fine pieces of furniture. We employ all our own restoration staff for both the horology and cabinet departments. All repairs are carried out sympathetically and to the highest standards. Preservation of the originality of the piece is foremost in our minds.

Why us?

My father Roy Clements was one of the first I believe of all the clocks editors of the famous Millers Antiques Price Guide up to 1984. His considerable knowledge has rubbed off on me. Ever since I was a small boy I used to travel with my father. This was on business trips and to major auctions in the pursuit of the finest antiques. Learning everything about what to look for. How these pieces that had not been touched in years, could be transformed into showroom condition. My father was one who pointed out to me to cover every aspect within the business. I have worked in both the furniture restoration and clock movement repair departments. Every day is different for me. No clock movement is exactly the same, we are always learning.

Love for Antiques

The antique business has taken over my life full time since leaving university over 20 years ago. To tell you the truth even during those three years I was more interested in what was happening back in the business. My love of antique clocks has never diminished. I am just so happy that someone of the stature of Theo, whom I very much admire, gave time to this SBS venture. Also to chose us as one of his 6 businesses he clearly thought was special enough to re-tweet.

Many VIP Customers

Our shop has now become one of the foremost antique clocks businesses in the world. We have an impressive array of accolades. As a hugely well-respected dealer, Pendulum has featured in leading newspapers. Such as The Sunday Times and appeared many times on national television in the UK.  They were highly commended in the category of ‘ Best Interiors Boutique’ at The Mayfair Awards 2012. In association with The Mayfair Magazine, Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Perrier-Jouet. Pendulum also received congratulations from the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for Business and was listed in the prestigious Who’s Who of Business Elite for 2002.

Clocks Exported to For Corners of the World

We have sold our antique clocks all around the world,meeting many vip’s in the process. Repairs are carried out and we look after the antique clocks for many famous London institutions. The last few years we have restored back to their former glory the antique clocks in the Russian Embassy in London. The Ambassador, His Excellency Alexander Yakovenko, and his staff were absolutely amazing with us. It was a special honour being entrusted with this work.

For further information please call 0207 629 6606 or email Daniel at pendulumclocks@aol.com.

Out now increasing Twitter following can be found here, please follow for upcoming antique clocks news: Pendulum Clocks Twitter

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John Ellicott Clockmaker

John Ellicott , father, son and grandsons were amongst the finest antique clock makers of the 18th century.As a result I am going to dedicate this blog to them. We are lucky to have 2 amazing examples in stock by these great clockmakers. One of them an outstanding GIII mahogany bracket clock signed John Ellicott London. This dates from just before C1760. In 1760 John Ellicott FRS took into partnership his son Edward. Edward also was a fantastic clockmaker and the way they signed their names then changed. Edward Ellicott also became Master of the Clockmakers Company.

Master of the Clock Maker’s Company

Prior to 1760 Ellicott clocks were signed John Ellicott London. 1760 to 1769 Ellicott clocks were signed just Ellicott. From 1769 to 1788 this was changed to John Ellicott and Son. These facts you can see this outstanding grandfather clock dates from 1760-1769 as it is signed just Ellicott. I would expect it to date from the start of the partnership between John and his son Edward, probably around 1760. The cabinet is of beautiful burr walnut and wonderfully decorated.

Royal Exchange London

This clock above is by John Ellicott’s son probably the most famous of all the Ellicott family of clockmakers, John, FRS. John’s father also John came to work in London around C1690. He started his apprentaship and subsequently moved to the Royal Exchange, St. Swithins Alley. He set up shop around the beginning of the 18th century. John Senior was a very fine clockmaker, he worked in St Swithins Alley until his death in 1733.  His father must of passed considerably knowledge to his son. In 1728 John FRS was seen to be working with his father at these premises.

Academically Brilliant

John’s son was reportedly academically brilliant and also very highly skilled with his hands. It is remarked in many text books that there were few men of his equal in this regard. Just after his fathers death in 1733, in 1738 he was elected to the Royal Society. This was an immense achievement. He had some really important and influential sponsors for this position.

Fellow of the Royal Society

Ellicott carried out some important work and research in this role. He looked at various things like the effect of two pendulums upon each other. Also the variability of the length of a pendulum with latitude. It is without doubt though many people who remember Ellicott will remember him for designing what I call the ‘Ellicott Pendulum’. An amazing compensated compensated pendulum. He worked to try and eliminate the disadvantages of the grid iron pendulum, Harrison invented.

Ellicott Pendulum

Ellicott pendulums were an amazing feat of engineering. They worked to very high standards. As a result far exceeding anything else of the day. These pendulums were very complex to make though and therefore expensive. Not many clocks still exist today with one of these pendulums. Ellicott’s work was always to the highest of standards and the antique bracket clocks pictured here is of the finest quality workmanship. Superb verge escapement, delightful engraved backplate and three train quarter striking fusee movement.

The link to this clock on our antique clocks website can be found here, Fantastic Ellicott Mahogany Bracket Clock

Family Clock Business

In 1760 this famous clockmaker John Ellicott FRS , took his son Edward into the business. Working together until his fathers death in 1772. Edward ended up being a special clockmaker in his own right. He became the Kings watchmaker and was Master of the Clockmakers Company. Edward died in 1791 and the business continued with Edward’s son, Edward. An entire century of Ellicott’s, a clockmaking dynasty. Clockmaking did run in familys’ but none left their mark as great as the achievements of this family. They always strived to better on what had been achieved before.

Clock Making Dynasty

Can I think of a clockmaking family as well regarded. I do not think so, as a result an entire century of the finest antique clocks. The antique grandfather clock pictured below is an example of the partnership set up with John FRS and his son Edward in C 1760, as the dial is signed just Ellicott. The cabinet is the finest decorated cabinet I have ever seen.

The link to this clock on our antique clocks website is here , Outstanding Ellicott Walnut Grandfather Clock

I hope you have loved reading about the clockmaking family Ellicott of London , they were truly great and made some of the finest antique clocks ever built. A clockmaking dynasty that will never be repeated.

Daniel R Clements

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Enamel Dials

We have been in the antique clock business for over 40 years. It is true to say enamel dial antique clocks are rare. You can see them occasionally on bracket clocks in the 18th century. Searching for examples is hard. It is like finding a needle in a haystack however finding a true enamel dial on a grandfather clock.

True Enamel or Painted Dials

If you undertook a search for enamel dial grandfather clock you will find lots of listings. Dealers loosely apply the term to a standard white painted dial. These clocks with white painted dials started manufacture in Birmingham with Wilson and Osborne from around C1772. It was true to say the Clockmakers Company in the early days frowned on achievements outside London. Clock makers tried and most times failed to make alternatives. One alternative was a true enamel dial. True enamel dials such as the superb example pictured here was made from a mixture of glass, tin oxide, borax, peat ashes and salt.

Hard to fire large pieces of enamel

A complex mix of substances was then melted and turned into moulds to harden. This mixture was then ground to a powder and mixed with water. The enamel was then mixed with lavender oil to make it adhere to the copper dial plate. This mixture was applied to the dial and then the dial was fired at high temperatures in a clay oven. The temperature was carefully monitored and then the dial was cooled very slowly to prevent any cracking.

Time Consuming Process

I hope you agree a process that was very time consuming and complex. To get this to work on a large dial it was very hard. That is why in this case you will see the arch is fired separately. I am sure the risks of cracking with a 12 inch piece of square enamel was a large enough risk. The lovely painted work and decoration you will see on this dial is the result of further firings. Rose Vermillion being one of the hardest colours to apply.

Conclusion

This is an outstanding and very rare clock with a true enamel dial. It has been mentioned the maker of these rare enamel dials was the brother of the famous clockmaker James Tregent. He was called Anthony Tregent. For further information please view the book Theelke, Anthony; Faces of Mystery. This is a lovely flame mahogany veneered grandfather clock with strike silent feature to the arch. The movement is of ‘8-day’ duration and strikes the hours on a single bell. Superb London quality case and typical high quality movement features.

Daniel Clements

Pendulum of Mayfair Ltd

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Is it a music box or is it a grandfather clock ? No its both !

18th century musical grandfather clocks are very rare examples. I will only see a genuine fine example once every few years. In this blog I will be looking at two late 18th century examples. One fine grandfather clock by Joseph Herring of London C1770. Also a superb rare provincial musical clock by Edward Bilbie of Chewstoke C1780 pictured below.

After discussions and research on the Bilbie family of clockmakers. You can see the example on the left is one of the finest provincial musical clocks by this maker. It bears all the hallmarks of what a Bilbie clock should look like. The lovely polished and engraved dial, with the doric columns superbly engraved to the dial centre. The name on a cartouche to the arch finely engraved and either side, a strike/silent feature and 4 different tunes.

Multiple Tunes

The tunes being ‘ Lincoln Time ‘ , ‘ Bath Time ‘ , ‘ 104th Psalme ‘ , ‘ 23 rd Psalme ‘. Why Lincoln Time, Bath Time I can understand as it is 20 miles away from Chewstoke, but Lincoln Time I do not know the reason. Maybe these were customer selections in the 18th century. The delightful engraving to the centres and outer edges of the arch show what fine craftsman Bilbie was. Bear in mind this is a provincial clock, it really is top quality workmanship.

Lovely quality Bilbie Clock

The dial also shows seconds and further delicate engraving around the edge. A calendar to the dial centre, chapter ring and fine gilded spandrels to the corners of the dial. All dials of this period are cast brass, and all the hands etc are worked on by hand. These are lovely quality iron hands which are eventually protected by being blued.

High quality musical movement

The fine music played by this immense high quality movement is played by means of 12 hammers on 10 bells. This is on a intricate pin wheel barrel. Finding all the right notes for the differing tunes is  so complex. The bells would of been cast by hand. I believe Bilbie did this himself, he had his own foundry , which was very rare. To get the bells so well sounding is a real credit to his talent. You will see a casting mark on the largest bell, but all bells play superbly.

Three train movements

The movement as I have described has 3 trains. One is for the timekeeping , one is for the hours , and the final one is for the music. This plays once every 3 hours. Hence 8 times a day one can wonder at this clockmakers talent. This is not only a lovely furnishing piece but it is a horological work of art as well.

Work of Art

The 8 day movement is also lovely in lots of other ways, everything is built to precision and to a high quality. It is clear high quality pieces were not only built in London. In the pictures below I will show London quality construction, it is very similar to Bilbie’s work here.

 

Joseph Herring Musical Clock

The pictures are of a Joseph Herring London musical Longcase clock. The only real differences between this and the Bilbie are one of two more hammers and an extra bell and a few more pins to the barrel. Very similar movements, both really high quality 8 day examples.You will see from both, the typical three train layout of the dial on these two genuine examples.

4 Tune Musical

The Herring plays 4 tunes as well, some strange 18th hits at that. ‘ Speed the Plough ‘ , ‘ March in Blue Beard ‘ , ‘ Beggar Girl ‘ , and finally one to top the lot off , ‘ Go to the Devil & Shake Yourself’. Maybe the last could come from a modern day rock song. It is definately a strange title for an 18th century tune. These as you can expect are not listed on Youtube. From this blog no doubt some of our clients, who are rock and pop stars, may make these 18th century classics into modern day hits. Watch this space !

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Superb antique restoration projects over the years

We have restored lots of special pieces of antique clocks and furniture over the years. Many of these fine pieces can be viewed at our London antique clock shop, Pendulum of Mayfair in London. We have also restored many grandfather clocks and smaller clocks. These for large banks, famous hotels and various other institutions in central London. The lovely thing about restoring antiques whether it is a grandfather clock or a smaller item, is every repair is different.

Every clock repair is different

The only thing that remains the same if it is an intricate repair is the lovely comments you receive when the repairs have been carried out properly. The transformation of an item into showroom condition makes restoring very rewarding.

It is with great shame over the years there are hardly any proper courses on restoring. There are few antique movements or cabinets courses available in our great universities. These courses used to give a great grounding for young students.

Appeal for more Technical Courses

I now can only recall a couple of courses available in which you can study horology. In this country, one of them being at West Dean. It is with this in mind that all our staff have had to be taught in house by our owner Roy Clements. From humble beginning in a small village in Cheshire, we now have one of the foremost restoration facility’s in the UK. This has mean over the last few years we have even undertaken the restoration of many clocks. For special places like the Russian Embassy in London.

Famoous Places we have been asked to restore for

The Russian Embassy Residence clocks were great projects for us. More important was to meet such wonderful new people. His Excellency the Ambassador Alexander Vladimirovich Yakovenko and his wife were amazing with us and so were his staff. We will always treat them as friends and thank them for being so hospitable to us. It is very hard in one generation to meet important people like this and be honoured with the responsibility. To be entrusted with the restoration and repair of important clocks, but it shows this can be done. Nothing is not achievable if you work hard enough and are dedicated in what you do.

Examples of Cabinet Restoration

I have listed a lovely piece of antique cabinet restoration below. I wrote some time back but it is a clear idea of what needs to be done in restoring items properly. Always give you items to be restored to a professional. Sometimes poor repairs and restoration can destroy the value of any antique.

Daniel Clements

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How to properly repair a longcase clock cabinet

From the very onset of our business we have always had our own highly skilled staff employed in Cheshire. They undertake skilled antique clock and furniture repairs for our London shop. Antique clock repair is something that can only be carried out by highly qualified and time-served skilled staff. It is important to know what they are doing. In my latest blog I will be looking at the restoration of a badly damaged antique clock cabinet. This clock was damaged by a very hungry owners dog ! You can see from the pictures below, taken prior to restoration, the damage to the base and trunk door areas on the clock.

One very hungry pet dog

Clock Cabinet Repair Restoration

 

As you will notice damage was to the sides of the base and the bottom of the door in the main. This is very intricate antique clock restoration. Our skilled cabinet restorer carefully restored this clock to its former glory. Whilst the restoration of the antique clock was ongoing. We noticed the two sides of the base banding had been replaced with mahogany veneers over the years. We took this away and replaced the mahogany with the banding to match the trunk door. This being tulip wood.

 

Furniture Repairs

As you will see from the finished restored pictures. Close up pictures of the damage from the clock, the skills of a craftsman. All repairs were carried out in hand cut veneers of wood. This was a like for like match. Animal glues were used like in the original. After all the antique clock repairs were carried out at our base here in Cheshire. The clock was redelivered back to very happy owners.

 

Repairs Done Sympathetically

Restoring antique clocks like we have done for over 40 years here at Pendulum of Mayfair or Coppelia Antiques is vital to be done properly. Do not have a clock that has been poorly restored. This would take away from the value of the clock. Restoring your antique clock sympathetically can add thousands of pounds to the value. If the clock is genuine and basically all there. Spending £3,000 or so to restore your clock can be money in the bank.

Don’t cut costs in repairs

Spending £1500 for restoring your clock badly you may think you are saving money but do not be misled. Poor restoration can actually reduce the value of the clock, your £1,500 may well be lost. We charge out at competitive rates for unrivalled quality workmanship I believe. For a quote please send pictures of the item needed to be restored to the contact at the bottom of this piece.

 

 

Seldom seen damage

Can I point out before I go on, damage due to canines I have only ever encountered twice in all my time. I believe this was done by overexcited puppy’s with teething issues, you need not worry to much ! Basically antique clock cabinet repairs are much more standard. Loose moulding, little pieces of veneer lost, or he odd scratch here or there. Sometimes years of dirt to the surface of the case just needs carefully taking back and then the true colour of the cabinet can be achieved.

 

Colour of piece

The colour of every clock tends to be different and dependant on the wood and how this had reacted with the sunlight over the years. Hopefully if you choose a restorer he will preserve the colour and not just splash the stain of the day all over your clock. To many times I have seen furniture restorer throw shellac french polish to high gloss standards. Then stain whatever colour they were using that day on items. Rather than building up the finish underneath the years of grime, and basically wax finishing.

Wax finish is vital

Soft finish of wax, rather than the ploughed field of a poorly french polished and stripped surface is required. The grain on any antique clock takes years to fill with many years waxing. You do not want an open grain sticky finish, like what you will see on lots of modern furniture today.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

I hope the three pictures included and the pictures of the clock now restored show what can be done by sympathetic highly skilled craftsman. We have undertaken repairs for Museums , a very important Embassy , and lots of major hotels in central London. We also undertake repairs for the general public. We have highly skilled staff specifically now just undertaking outside repairs.

Antique furniture and clock repair

It is a growing side of our business. Put your family heirlooms in safe hands and contact the specialist today. All public enquiries for antique clock repairs for a limited time will receive our special offer trade daily rate. You will need to quote ” antique clocks blog special offer” on your e.mail. Please hurry this is for a limited time only and applies to cabinet work.
We also have two full time horologists on staff to repair your antique clock movements. These are also highly skilled professionals. I suggest you should have a major overhaul of your clock every 40 years. If you have had this carried out properly a clean every 10 years or so. This will keep wear on any pivots etc to a minimum.

I hope you will agree the finish restored antique clock below looks stunning. The total time was approx 10 working days to restore movement and cabinet.

Any questions to

Daniel Clements

Manager: Pendulum of Mayfair- London  -0207 629 6606/ Coppelia Antiques Ltd – Cheshire 01565722197

 

 

 

 

 

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Australia’s First Clock Maker

Antique clocks as we have looked at in my many blogs centered around London in the 17th and 18th centuries. The UK exported many of these clocks to different parts of the world. Pendulum of Mayfair website sells many of these fine clocks.

Fleeing UK to set up a new life overseas

Clock production only really set up in places like America, as a result of people fleeing persecution on religious grounds. It was slightly different how clock production was setup in places like Australia. Hundreds of convict ships sailed during the 18th and 19th centuries to Australia. As mentioned in my previous blog Henry Lane the clockmaker from London and Bristol was a prisoner on board the Perseus.  Clearly other convicts arrived in Australia who were also clockmakers in the UK. James Oatley was born in Warwickshire in 1770 but was found guilty of stealing bed linen. He was a horologist who arrived in Sydney in 1815. His talents also were noted and he became a highly regarded clock and watch maker. He was pardoned in 1821 and he was appointed Keeper of the Town Hall Clock by Governor Macquarie.

Sydney Clocks

It is Henry Lane Clock maker who I will be looking at here though. It is found a year after his arrival he had set up his business in Sydney in 1803. Clearly with no competetion to speak of, he was not short of work. He he is mentioned soon after his arrival advertising for an apprentice and a clock case manufacturer. In April 1804 he advertises for sale a ships chronometer and through these adverts you can tell he also manufactured watches at the time. Sydney was founded in 1788 . Again convict ships set sail from Portsmouth. The Town Hall clock that Henry Lane was asked to repair after it collapsed in 1806 was probably brought on one of these ships from the UK. The first tower clock in the UK to compare was at Salisbury Cathedral and it was made in 1386, over 400 years earlier !

Conditional Pardon Henry Lane 1808

In 1808 Henry Lane has been given a conditional pardon and by 1811 Henry was appointed Government Clock Keeper. He held this position until his death on the 15th April 1815. The earliest editions of the Sydney Gazette gives lots more information about Henry Lane. He has grandfather clocks and watches advertised for sale. It is an interesting history that I suggest readers delve deeper.

Close Bonds Between UK and Australia

Australia and the UK have a unique history from 1788. It is probably one of the closest international relationships in existence. It has a shared history, culture, institutions and language. The only change is that people go to live in Australia freely from the UK today ! Even the current Australian Prime Minister was born in the UK in Wales. There has always been a fierce rivalry especially in sport between our two nations but we have always had a special bond. Many of the people who live in Australia today have some connection with the UK, either in past or present history.

 

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The story of the Bristol UK clockmaker Henry Lane.

I will be looking at the start of clockmaking in Australia. The interesting story of the 18th century antique clock specialist Henry Lane. I need to pay special thanks to John Houstone, Kevin Fahy and Bill Bradshaw. The Australian Antique Collector and the Power House Museum in Australia for their help.

From Bristol to Australia making Clocks

I have been associated with antique clocks all my life and I learnt about the story of Henry Lane from one of our clients. Many years ago we had for sale a stunning Bristol antique clock by this maker at our retail antique clock shop in London, Pendulum of Mayfair Ltd. The power of the internet made it possible for a client in Australia to notice this clock and travel all the way from Australia to London, UK. He viewed and eventually purchase this magnificent clock. The clock itself is pictured below.

I hope you will agree it is a fantastic and rare 3 train musical mahogany Longcase clock of ‘8-day’ duration. Lovely typical high quality Bristol cabinet with fretwork beneath swan neck pediments to hood. Reeded chamfered sides with brass stringing to trunk and base.  The dial with high quality matted centre, chapter ring/spandrels, recessed polished and engraved seconds and calendar, strike/silent to arch. Movement of high quality playing 6 different possible tunes every hour.

Henry Lane Started Clockmaking in Australia

As many of my readers are aware there are literally thousands of antique clockmakers. Some you know and some you don’t. Henry Lane was one I did not know anything about, clearly he was not a prolific clockmaker. You could tell though from the quality of this clock, he was a fantastic maker.  The workmanship was of the highest order, and it included some very unusual features. It is rare for one to get a genuine 18th century musical example. Anyone capable of such work, had to be of the highest order. There is nothing really listed in the main clock reference books about him, other than he worked in Bristol and London.  Our client opened my eyes to this interesting story though and I give him special thanks.

Henry Lane Arrested

Saturday, 4th Jan 1800 was the day when Henry Lane’s life changed for ever. He arrived with his companion Mrs Charlotte Holland in Chipping Sodbury on the morning coach from Bristol. Henry paid the fare with a one pound Bank of England bill. He paid another bill with a five pound bill, on both occasions he received change. His companion Charlotte went on a shopping trip, she made payments with similar five pound bills in three different shops. Likewise receiving change in each shop. It was in the last shop that the husband of the last shopkeeper noticed something strange about the bill and correctly deduced it to be a forgery.

Forged Five Pound Notes

She seemed ‘all in a tremor’ , Charlotte was put in custody of a policeman who escorted her to the Swan Inn. Henry walked past this place and was recognized as Charlotte’s companion on the coach. He decided to run but he was caught. Henry tried to dispose of other bills by eating them. One pursuer forced Henry to open his mouth, he found two more forged bills inside. Henry was taken to the inn where Charlotte was kept.

Henry stood trial on the 5th April 1800 and Charlotte on the 30th July 1800. Interest in the trial was large in Bristol at the time and a full transcript of the trial is on public records. This will be given as a reference at the end of this piece. At his trial Henry gave a statement that he had received these notes as a settlement of a debt and he did not know they were forged. His evidence was weakened by the fact he booked the coach in a false name and he had tried to eat the notes when caught, and the fact he had tried to flee.

Sentencing

The judge adjourned and returned by pronouncing a sentence of death.  The Bristol Journal of 19th April 1800 announced ‘the execution of Henry Lane will take place at St Michael’s Hill on Friday next’. The issue of the 26th April reported the sentence had been commuted to transportation for life by Royal clemency. I am not sure what connection Henry Lane had to the Royal family but a crown is engraved to the centre of the arch to this dial !

At Charlotte’s trial in Gloucester on the 30th July 1800 she was also sentenced for transportation for life. Henry left Spithead on the Perseus with 112 other male prisoners on the 12th February 1802 and he arrived in Sydney cove on the 4th August. Charlotte left on the Glatton on the 23rd September, 1802 and arrived on the 11th March, 1803.

Journey To Australia

Henry who at his trial was 50 years of age and had a wife and family. Not much was known about the relationship with Charlotte but it is clear by 1806 Charlotte was living with Henry in Sydney. Charlotte is described to the Governor in 1810 as a ‘housekeeper’. In Rev Samuel Marsden’s Female Muster of 1806, she is described as a ‘concubine’. That is  a woman in an ongoing, marriage-like relationship with a man to whom she cannot be married for a specific reason! Eventually on the 27th October 1813, they married at St John’s Parramatta. The assumption is made Henry’s wife in Bristol, England had died by that time.

I will look at Henry work and life in Australia in my next blog. This is a compelling story I hope you agree. More can be found about the trial by reading the following.

1.The Only Genuine Trial of Henry Lane taken by a Short Hand Writer – Rosser and Co., Bristol 1800

 

 


 

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The most famous clock in the world – Big Ben

Big Ben

 

The worlds most photographed antique clock has been standing proudly to dominate London’s skyline for over 150 years. Big Ben is how everyone has come to call it,  is the nickname for the great bell of the clock. Now everyone refers to Big Ben as the overall clock and tower. The tower as it so happens is to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen. This is to celebrate the Queen’s 60 year reign.

Great Tom

The clock tower as we know today as ‘Big Ben’ is not the first clock tower to stand in Parliament’s grounds. The first tower nicknamed ‘Great Tom’ was built in 1288-90. A second tower replaced the first in 1367 and this was the first chiming public clock in England. In 1707 this tower had fallen into a state of disrepair and was demolished. When a terrible fire destroyed most of the Palace of Westminster in 1834, architects submitted designs for the new Palace. Of the 97 designs submitted, Sir Charles Barry’s was picked. His design did not originally have a clock tower but this was added to his design in 1836. Construction of this tower began in 1843.

Dent Clockmaker

Clearly the manufacture of the mechanism for the clock needed to be done by a specialist. The Queens clockmaker at the time was Vulliamy and he wanted to design and make the clock. Other specialist clockmakers also believed they should make the clock. A series of disputes therefore resulted and it was decided to appoint a referee to make the decision on who made the clock. The decision was left to the Astronomer Royal, Sir George Airy. He set the standards by which the clock must keep, Denision a barrister and gitfted amateur clockmaker assisted in this decision.

Delays in Building Big Ben

All this led to delays in the decision. It was not until Feb 1852 that it was decided that Dent was to  build the clock to Denison’s own design. Dent died in 1853 and so the clock was completed by Dents stepson, Frederick in 1854. It cost £2,500 to make. The tower itself was still not finished though and so the clock was kept at Dents factory in the meantime.

Denison Design

Denison made refinements to the clock while waiting for the clock tower to be finished (1859). He invented a ‘Double Three-legged Gravity Escapement’. This was a revolutionary and an ingenious invention and refinement. It made sure the pendulum was unaffected by external factors, such as wind pressure on the clock hands. A constant impulse was always applied to the pendulum. This escapement won worldwide acclaim, it is now known as the ‘ Grimthorpe escapement’, and Denision was later made Baron Grimthorpe in 1886 as a result.

Long Pendulum of Big Ben

The pendulum to the clock is 13 feet long and installed in a windproof box, it beats every 2 seconds. On top of this pendulum there are old coins. Adding weight to the top of the pendulum will lift the pendulum’s centre of gravity and thus shorten the effective length of the pendulum. This has the effect of speeding the clock up by just under half a second a day.

Symbol of London Big Ben

The clock has become one of the main symbols for the United Kingdom and London in particular. From the news programs like ITN to New Year celebrations, to General Election’s end of voting. Big Ben is the centre of our life. It stands proud and has had numerous years superb service. It has sted the test of time and London would not be the same without it. A truly remarkable achievement. The clocks Westminster Chime is typical of clocks after C.1860 and is found on many modern clocks. Most Georgian antique clocks just strike the hour on a single bell.

Daniel Clements – www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk