Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Large 19th Century Gilt Skeleton Clock attributed to Evans of Handsworth

$30,482.18
£22,500
€26,300.42
CA$42,069.98
A$47,127.67
CHF 24,557.81
MX$574,860.31
NOK 312,073.47
SEK 294,263.04
DKK 196,299.12

About the Item

An Exceptional and Large Skeleton Clock Attributed to Evans of Handsworth The multi-tiered pierced gilt brass frame of the skeleton clock after the design of the famous York Minster, the clock with a twin fusee movement with a half-deadbeat escapement striking the bell every half hour, and gong striking every hour, supported on an oval marble base and protected under a glass dome, the movement mounted between two silhouettes of the cathedral, with an identical tracery plate at the front portal mounted with a silvered dial denoting the hours in Roman numeral and blued steel fleur-de-lys hands. English, circa 1855 Dimensions: H: 28 in / 71 cm W: 17 in / 43 cm D: 8.5 in / 22 cm York Minster (minster meaning large church in Anglo-Saxon) is the largest Gothic cathedral in Western Europe. Its origins date back as far as 627 when a church was built for the baptism of Edwin, king of Northumbria. The church underwent various transformations and destructions and work began on the Minster as it is currently recognised in 1220 when Archbishop Gray decided to rebuild it on a scale to rival Canterbury. The South Transept was rebuilt between 1220 and 1250 and the North Transept was started and finished a few years after. Work on the nave began in 1291. Building was to continue for some 250 years, with the twin towers of the western front being completed in 1472. These are the towers shown on Victorian skeleton clocks. Evans of Handsworth W.F. Evans of Handsworth, near Birmingham, built his reputation during the 19th century as a masterful clockmaker specialising in intricate skeleton clocks. He exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition, where a "Gothic skeleton clock" was among his display.
  • Attributed to:
    William F. Evans of Handsworth (Clockmaker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1855
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Clock is in working condition.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 94351stDibs: LU954744277092

More From This Seller

View All
19th Century French Skeleton Clock of Ormolu and Marble from Directoire Period
Located in London, GB
A symbolic skeleton clock from the French Directoire period. A rectangular Carrara marble plinth with bronze toupie feet with knurled decoration supports an ormolu 'arc-de-ciel', wi...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Hand Painted, Engraved and Gilt Brass Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
A fine carriage clock The engraved gilt case rises from an ogee plinth, and is dressed with elliptical polychrome enameled plaques to the fascia and the sides, depicting children ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in the Louis XV Rococo Style
Located in London, GB
An Elegant Mantle Clock In the Louis XV Manner The clock and its plinth executed in gilt bronze in a dynamic rococo style, rising from scrolling foliage, the dial in the shape of a ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Petite Sonnerie Ormolu Carriage Clock by Grohé with Calendar
Located in London, GB
A Petit Sonnerie carriage clock by Grohe of Paris The gilt bronze case comprehensively engraved, and having a retractable carrying handle; the lever movement driving the petit son...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Brass, Bronze

Early Tripod Table Clock by Thomas Cole with Glass Dome
Located in London, GB
An extraordinary rustic tripod table clock by Thomas Cole Retailed by E. White of London The circular green velvet-clad base supporting three equidistantly spaced brass imitation logs, from which the clock and its mechanism are suspended; housed within a brass bezel conformingly styled as naturalistic logs, the circular etched and engraved gilt dial with elegant blued steel hands, marked at 6 o'clock "E. White, 20 Cockspur St, London", having the hours marked in Roman numerals; the tapered two-tier movement has a six wheel train with five-spoke crossings between spotted plates, the upper section fixed by blued steel screws to the backplate, enclosing a Brocot-style deadbeat escapement incorporating rubies and train to the centre wheel, the pendulum of most unusual design styled as a lidded cauldron over a simulated fire. Complete with a glass dome and key. The front plate numbered “1637.” London made, circa 1861 Thomas Cole, (1800-1864) Son of Thomas Cole Snr, a Somerset clockmaker, his history and works are fully recorded in 'Thomas Cole & Victorian Clockmaking' by John B. Hawkins, published 1975, in Sydney. Known as a specialist in making decorative timepieces of the highest quality, Cole exhibited at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851; he warranted an 'honourable mention' in the Paris Exhibition of 1855 and the London 1862 Exposition International, where he was awarded a medal for 'excellence of taste and design'. Hawkins discuss Thomas Cole's tripod clocks...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Clock in the Louis XVI Taste
By Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
A mantle clock in the Louis XVI taste by Raingo Freres, Paris Constructed in gilt bronze, and dressed with Bleu Celeste framed porcelain panels, decorated in polychromes, in the '...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

You May Also Like

Antique 19th Century English 8 Day Fusee Brass & Glass Dome Skeleton Clock, 1870
Located in Portland, OR
A good & large antique 19th century eight day single fusee skeleton clock, under a glass dome, circa 1870. The clock has just been serviced and o...
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass

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

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

A very fine mid Victorian skeleton clock by Johnston of London
By John Johnston
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very fine mid Victorian skeleton clock by Johnston of London, of large rectangular form comprising two openwork arabesque panels parti A very fine mid Victorian skeleton clock by Johnston of London, of large rectangular form comprising two openwork arabesque panels partially shielding the fusée bell striking movement, the polished scroll frame raised on shaped turned pillars, the foliate scrolled silvered and engraved dial with Roman numerals joined with delicate thistle motifs, housed in its integrated glazed brass case applied with a silvered maker’s labels stating ‘Johnston, 2 Elm Street...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Litchfield Cathedral Skeleton Clock by Evans of Handsworth
By William F. Evans of Handsworth
Located in New Orleans, LA
This remarkable English Litchfield Cathedral skeleton clock, crafted by Evans of Handsworth, captures the essence of the famed Lichfield Cathedral with its iconic three-spire top and stunning Gothic architecture. This extraordinary timepiece features an intricate skeleton design, revealing its impressive two-train chain fuseé movement that powers an eight-day movement, chiming the hours on a melodious gong. The dial is a masterpiece in itself, intricately pierced and engraved in silver, displaying the time with Roman numerals and blued steel hands. The clock sits gracefully atop its original rosewood base. The Birmingham firm of William F. Evans of Handsworth was one of the most respected makers of skeleton clocks of the 19th century. The golden age of their manufacture occurred between the 1860s through the 1880s, and the firm was renowned for the stellar quality, grand size and superior materials utilized in the creation of their clocks. Of the many cathedrals they produced, the Litchfield Cathedral skeleton clock has earned a prominent status in today's market, being highly sought-after and coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Skeleton clocks stand out as exceptional and captivating timepieces, meticulously crafted to reveal the inner workings of the mechanism in all their glory. Originating as early as the mid-16th Century as drum clocks, these intricately designed clocks are a testament to the finest craftsmanship of their time. The French played a significant role in popularizing skeleton clocks around 1750, introducing remarkable spring-driven antique mantle clocks...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Silver, Steel

English Brass and Polished Steel Skeleton Clock Under Glass Dome Webber, C. 1870
By Webber
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass skeleton clock under original glass dome with a polished steel roman numeral dial, fuse chain movement, and affixed to an oval carved wood felt base with four bun feet....
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass, Steel