Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 8

English Skeleton Clock by Smith & Sons Exhibition-Quality

Name: English Skeleton Clock by Smith & Sons Exhibition-Quality
Brand: Smith & Son
Rating: 5 (8 reviews)

Price:$99,000

$148,500List Price

About the Item

Touted by famed clock author Derek Roberts to be "one of the finest English skeleton clocks produced" this exceptionally rare and magnificent bronze skeleton clock is a work of true horological mastery. Positively attributed to the firm of John Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell, London, this stunning timepiece represents the height of the clockmaster's skill. One of the most sought after and elusive of all skeleton clocks are those, such as the present example, that operate using the rare three-train mechanism. Showcasing a dynamic Gothic-Revival architectural style, the clock indicates the time on a silver dial with Roman numerals. The triple chain fusée movement with a Vuilliamy-type deadbeat escapement controls the time, while the steel gong hour strikes and the quarter-hour on eight nested bells. A masterpiece of precision and beauty, this incredible clock was a presentation piece given to Joseph Norton, the owner of Highbridge Textile Mill in Yorkshire, upon his retirement. A silver plaque surrounded by engraved silver fretwork bears the inscription: "Presented to Joseph Norton Esquire on retiring from business by his Numerous Work People as a Testimonial of Their Regard and Esteem. May 1864." A small silver banner bears the name of the retailer and is marked: "Cooper, New St, Huddersfield." Skeleton clocks such as this were often a clockmaker's magnum opus and had to be superb in every way. Many were crafted as exhibition pieces, for example, to showcase a new escapement, calendar system, power train, gear design or other technological innovation. Others, such as this opulent timepiece, were made by special commission and done so at a great expense. This presentation clicj us considered to be the finest type Smith & Sons ever created, and was built to order by the client. Finished to an incredibly high standard, this work of art displays elaborate design elements, including stunning fret and pierced work, rosette accents on the hammers and fleur-de-lis finials, all of which demonstrate how each part was crafted and polished to be aesthetically pleasing as well as mechanically precise. The vast majority of skeleton clocks were only made with a single train. Two gear train skeleton clocks with full striking systems could be crafted for those who could afford such luxuries and are thus quite rare. Three-train systems such as this, therefore, represent the best of the best and the most highly sought after of these remarkable machines. This clock prominently featured in Derek Roberts' book Skeleton Clocks: Britain 1800-1914, pages 210-214. Dated 1864. Measure: 22 1/4" wide x 12" deep x 28" high.

Creator:
Smith & Son (Clockmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 22.25 in (56.52 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Style:
Other (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1864
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 30-48861stDibs: LU89115258653

Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Early Victorian English Skeleton Clock by Joseph Watson & Son, Cambridge

$8,391

H 17.25 in W 8.5 in D 6.5 in

English Late 19th Century Skeleton Clock with Oval Glass Dome

Located in Los Angeles, CA

English Late 19th Century Skeleton Clock Protected by a Glass Dome.

Category

Antique 1890s English Other Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

English Late 19th Century Skeleton Clock with Oval Glass Dome

$6,200

H 20.5 in W 12 in D 7 in

Huge English Illuminated advertising clock by Smiths of London

Located in London, GB

Huge English Illuminated advertising clock by Smiths of London “Time stands still for no one” as the saying goes. A colossal example of an Illuminated advertising clock by Smiths ...

Category

Vintage 1920s British Late Victorian Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Metal

Huge English Illuminated advertising clock by Smiths of London

$9,331

H 48 in W 30 in D 15 in

French Skeleton Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

French Skeleton clock with Gothic style brass frame standing on a marquetry inlaid rosewood base with bun feet. Cherubs head pendulum bob, enamel dia...

Category

Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

French Skeleton Mantel Clock

$3,020

H 18.5 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 in

Jaeger LeCoultre Inline Skeleton Clock

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Amersham, GB

A stylish Jaeger-LeCoultre skeleton timepiece with a gilded 16 jewel inline or ‘baguette’ movement suspended behind glass. The case of gilded brass has a brushed finish, with the bat...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Brass

Jaeger LeCoultre Inline Skeleton Clock

$3,141

H 7.49 in W 6.5 in D 1.58 in

Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock

Located in Danville, CA

Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock Here is a very nice looking English style Cathedral form skeleton clock. It sits on a wooden base and pr...

Category

Late 20th Century Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock

$2,850

H 21 in W 12.5 in D 8 in

Vintage English Devon Harrison Grasshopper Double Pendulum Skeleton Sea Clock

Located in Danville, CA

Vintage English Devon Harrison Grasshopper Escapement Double Pendulum Skeleton Sea Clock MOVEMENT: 8 day wind up mechanism FUNCTION: time only SIZE:...

Category

Vintage 1970s British Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Vintage English Devon Harrison Grasshopper Double Pendulum Skeleton Sea Clock

$3,250

H 16 in W 14.5 in D 7 in

Jaeger LeCoultre Inline Skeleton Clock

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Amersham, GB

A stylish Jaeger-LeCoultre skeleton timepiece with a gilded 16 jewel inline or ‘baguette’ movement suspended behind convex glass. The bezel is of gilded brass with a white enamel sur...

Category

1990s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Jaeger LeCoultre Inline Skeleton Clock

$3,786

H 4.73 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in

French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock

Located in Rome, IT

Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...

Category

Antique 1790s French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock

$14,197

H 16.54 in W 4.73 in D 11.82 in

Georgian Chain Fusee Skeleton Clock by Jones, Strand

Located in Norwich, GB

Georgian Skeleton Clock by Jones, The Strand, London Georgian skeleton clock standing on an ebonised stepped base lined with blue velvet and original square glass dome. Lyre ...

Category

Antique 1820s English Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Georgian Chain Fusee Skeleton Clock by Jones, Strand

$15,775

H 20.5 in W 13 in D 8.5 in

More From This Seller

View All

Three Train Clock By Smith & Sons

Located in New Orleans, LA

A spectacular feat of engineering and artistry, this 19th-century skeleton clock was created by John Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell. The Clerkenwell Borough of Central London has for al...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Gothic Revival Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Steel

Three Train Clock By Smith & Sons

$78,500

English Rose Window Skeleton Clock by Evans of Handsworth

By William F. Evans of Handsworth

Located in New Orleans, LA

English Rose Window Skeleton Clock Evans of Handsworth Circa 1885 This exceptional skeleton clock transforms the grandeur of Notre-Dame Cathedral's rose window into a functioning ho...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

English Rose Window Skeleton Clock by Evans of Handsworth

$34,500

French Great Wheel Skeleton Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

This important glass-fronted French Empire great wheel skeleton clock has the remarkable ability to run with incredible accuracy for more than a week on a single winding. The large central wheel and the rare combination of the pin-wheel escapement and knife-edge suspension allow for a longer, more accurate running time than most clocks of the period. The clock is further distinguished by the inclusion of a concentric calendar dial and Roman numeral chapter ring set amidst a stunning floral halo of gilt bronze fretwork, all mounted on a bronze-wrapped marble base. In such fine, working condition, and with the inclusion of a period glass dome, this clock is exemplary of the finest French skeleton...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Great Wheel Skeleton Clock

$48,500

English Porphyry Clock by Ellicott

By John Ellicott II

Located in New Orleans, LA

A case of exquisite porphyry and doré bronze houses the verge movement of this rare clock by eminent English clock and watch maker John Ellicott. Ellicott's...

Category

Antique 19th Century English George III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Porphyry, Bronze

English Porphyry Clock by Ellicott

$7,850

Monumental Three-Train Bracket Clock by J.C. Jennens & Sons

Located in New Orleans, LA

This intricately detailed 19th-century bracket clock from famed English firm J.C. Jennens & Sons is monumental in size, likely made for one of the great world exhibitions or perhaps to put in the firm's own store window. The eight-day timepiece has a triple fusee...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Three-Train Bracket Clock by J.C. Jennens & Sons

$188,500

Mahogany Carriage Clock by James McCabe

By James McCabe

Located in New Orleans, LA

This solid mahogany traveling clock with balance wheel escapement was crafted by celebrated London clockmaker James McCabe for London’s Royal Exchange. Known for exquisite workmanshi...

Category