Furniture, Clocks & Works of Art
Furniture, Clocks & Works of Art
Charles Frodsham No.1087. A giant gilt-brass repeating chronometer carriage clock, London, circa 1865
Auction Closed
November 9, 01:23 PM GMT
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Charles Frodsham No.1087. A giant gilt-brass repeating chronometer carriage clock, London, circa 1865
3¼-inch silvered dial signed Chas Frodsham, 84 Strand, 1087, Clock Maker to the Queen, engine-turned centre, subsidiary up/down dial, the gilt mask finely engraved with foliate scrolls, the movement with five ring-turned screwed pillars, chain fusees, Harrison's maintaining power, Earnshaw's spring detent escapement with free sprung split bi-metallic balance, blued helical spring and diamond endstone, mounted on a frosted gilt platform, repeat striking on a coiled gong, the fully signed and numbered backplate with strike/silent lever and silvered reversed chapter ring for seconds, the moulded case with reeded carrying handle and bevel-glazed panels, the shuttered rear panel with glazed seconds aperture
22cm 8¾in high
Charles Frodsham was born in London in 1810 into a family of chronometer, watch and clock makers. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to his father, William James Frodsham FRS, a chronometer maker. Charles was obviously a talented craftsman because he entered two chronometers for trial at Greenwich, at the age of twenty, and won second prize.
By 1834 Charles had established his own business and ten years later, following the death of chronometer maker John Roger Arnold, he purchased Arnold's business and moved into Arnold's former premises at 84 Strand. Charles Frodsham went from strength to strength, exhibiting successfully at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and expanding further in 1854 with the purchase of the late Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy's business. Charles succeeded Vulliamy as Superintendent and Keeper of Her Majesty’s Clocks at Buckingham Palace and in 1855 served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, a role he repeated in 1862. Charles Frodsham died in 1871 and was succeeded in the business by his son Harrison.
The present carriage clock is a fine example of a Frodsham domestic clock, combining the high precision and accuracy of timekeeping afforded by the chronometer escapement in a giant travel clock. The quality and attention to detail throughout is exceptional.