Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 7

Victorian Brass Skeleton Clock

$24,500List Price

About the Item

This astounding Victorian skeleton clock is a stellar example of the best in English clock making. Attributed to John Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell, London, this brass two-train timepiece boasts the most intricately crafted design of any skeleton clock we have seen. Not only lovely to look at, this clock is also a mechanical triumph, with an eight-day movement comprised of twin chain fusées and a deadbeat anchor escapement. Time is told by blued steel hands on a pierced, engraved and silvered chapter ring, and the half-hour is struck on the surmounted bell with a hatchet-shaped ringer. Set upon a velvet-covered and ebonized plinth beneath a protective glass dome, this magnificent clock is a work of true distinction.

Skeleton clocks area among the most exceptional and intriguing timepieces ever made, and were designed to display as much of the working mechanism as possible. Often the result of the highest quality workmanship, skeleton clocks are actually some of the earliest clocks, some dating from the mid 16th Century as drum clocks. Popularized circa 1750 by the French, who produced wonderful spring driven antique mantle clocks, these time keepers became the favorite of the English circa 1820, when all the main centers of clock production, London, Liverpool and Birmingham began to make the most exceptional examples.

Features original winding key

Provenance:
Private collection

John Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell, London were at the forefront of skeleton clock making in the Victorian period. The business was founded circa 1844 in St. John's Square, Clerkenwell. Their workshophad its own brass foundry, clock case workshop and assembly areas for the various types of clocks produced as can be seen in an article printed in the Illustrated London News of 1851 entitled "Visit to a Clerkenwell Clock Factory." However, skeleton clocks were a significant part of their repertoire, and today, those clocks crafted by Smith of Clerkenwell are among the most highly regarded in the world, both for their artistic beauty and for their mechanical advancement.

Dimensions:
Height: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Width: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1865
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 29-63401stDibs: U1106278911182

Victorian Brass Skeleton Clock

$6,630

H 15.75 in W 9 in D 6 in

Victorian Brass Skeleton Clock

Located in Woodbury, CT

Victorian brass skeleton clock by J. Smart, Islington. The clock features pierced tapered pylon-shaped plates united by four tapered baluster pillars enclosing a single chain fusee...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

1980s Seiko Quartz Skeleton Desk Clock in Brass

$280

H 9 in W 7 in D 1.75 in

1980s Seiko Quartz Skeleton Desk Clock in Brass

By Seiko

Located in Chula Vista, CA

1980s Modern Seiko Skeleton Quartz Desk Clock in Brass 9 h x 7 w x 1.75 d Preowned unrestored vintage condition Tested and working See images provided" Preowned unrestored vintage co...

Category

Vintage 1980s Japanese Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

French Skeleton Mantel Clock

$3,129

H 18.5 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 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

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

$8,663

H 17.25 in W 8.5 in D 6.5 in

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

Located in Norwich, GB

Early Victorian Skeleton Clock by Joseph Watson & Son, Cambridge Eight day chain fusee movement with fine wheelwork set between steeple sh...

Category

Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

A very fine mid Victorian skeleton clock by Johnston of London

$7,752

H 15.5 in W 10.75 in D 6.5 in

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

24K Brass Double Scissor Pendulum Porcelain Dial Skeleton Clock

$925

H 15.5 in W 9.75 in D 7.5 in

24K Brass Double Scissor Pendulum Porcelain Dial Skeleton Clock

Located in Danville, CA

24K Brass Double Scissor Pendulum Porcelain Dial Skeleton Clock Here is an excellent double pendulum Scissor skeleton clock. It has an unique scissor theme design. This clock has 2 ...

Category

Late 20th Century Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Jaeger LeCoultre Inline Skeleton Clock

$3,921

H 4.73 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 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

$3,243

H 7.49 in W 6.5 in D 1.58 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

French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock

$14,390

H 16.54 in W 4.73 in D 11.82 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

English Victorian Brass Horseshoe Clock

$3,500

H 8.5 in W 10 in D 6 in

English Victorian Brass Horseshoe Clock

Located in Queens, NY

English Victorian brass horseshoe shaped desk clock with copper trumpets on oval shaped oak base. (Not working)

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Wall Clocks

Materials

Brass

More From This Seller

View All

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

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

Viennese Enamel Soldier Clock

By Tobias Katzenberger

Located in New Orleans, LA

A work of exceptional detail, this magnificent Viennese clock takes the art form of enameling to new heights. The elaborately fashioned timepiece rests atop the head of a soldier, who stands on a pedestal populated by sphinxes. Exceptional details encase the entire piece, from the rooster finial to the gem-studded base. A hand-painted portrait of the heroic soldier on the reverse completes this stunning piece. Particularly popular during the 19th century, Viennese enamels...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Other Mantel Clocks

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Enamel

French Empire Troubadour Mantel Clock

By Le Roy

Located in New Orleans, LA

This resplendent French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of a singing troubadour with his lyre along a rocky river bank. Accompanied by a wi...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Joe DiMaggio's Presentation Desk Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

From the personal collection of the legendary Joe DiMaggio, this incredible vintage desk clock was presented to the Yankee Clipper by Harrah's for his par...

Category

20th Century Swiss Other Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Cartier Art Deco Table Clock

By Cartier

Located in New Orleans, LA

This Art Deco period table clock by Cartier is an extremely rare find and in a class of its own. Crafted of black lacquer, no detail was spared by the famed firm in creating this hig...

Category