Antique English Fusee Wall Clock by Joseph Bramble
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1820
This antique wall clock is attributed to the London-based clockmaker Joseph Bramble, active on Oxford Street, and dates to approximately 1820. It follows the traditional design of an English wall dial clock, featuring a circular mahogany case and a fusee-driven mechanical movement.
The dial is a 12-inch convex painted surface, white with black Roman numerals, signed “Jos. Bramble / Oxford Street / LONDON.” The clock is powered by an 8-day chain-driven fusee mechanism equipped with a stopwork system. A distinct technical feature noted in the documentation is the use of a verge escapement paired with a crown wheel, a configuration that predates the common anchor escapements found in many later wall-mounted timepieces of this period.
The mahogany housing includes a cast brass bezel and an access door on the side fitted with a metal lock and key.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1820
- Type
- Wall clock
- Maker
- Joseph Bramble
- Location
- Oxford Street, London
- Dial size
- 12 inches
- Case material
- Mahogany
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Escapement type
- Verge escapement
- Maker / attribution
- Joseph Bramble
Design
- Visible features
- • Cast brass bezel surrounding the dial • Convex painted dial with Roman numerals • Mahogany case with side-mounted access door
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is an 8-day duration design utilizing a chain-driven fusee system to maintain constant power, regulated by a stopwork mechanism. According to the provided information, the movement employs a crown wheel, distinguishing it from the anchor escapements that became standard in later period wall clocks. The source notes that the movement’s configuration, specifically the verge escapement, is a rare feature for this type of wall clock. This mechanism necessitates precise maintenance and handling, particularly to ensure the integrity of the fusee and barrel components over time.
- Attribution and Condition
- The timepiece is attributed to the maker Joseph Bramble of Oxford Street, London, with a manufacturing date estimated at circa 1820. The documentation provided by the seller serves as the basis for this attribution. No records of recent servicing or verification of current timekeeping performance are included in the source material. Prospective evaluation of the clock should prioritize several key areas. These include verifying the originality of the verge escapement to rule out later conversions, checking the condition of the fusee and barrel, ensuring the mahogany case joints remain secure, and assessing the state of the original paint on the convex dial.
- Dial and Case Construction
- The case is equipped with a cast brass bezel that frames the 12-inch convex dial. This dial is finished in white and displays black Roman numerals along with minute markers. The signature, “Jos. Bramble / Oxford Street / LONDON,” is positioned in the center of the dial. Access to the internal components is facilitated by a side door integrated into the mahogany body, which includes a metal locking mechanism operated by a key.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Operating condition and recent service history are not confirmed by the source
- Research required: Authenticity of the verge escapement versus potential later conversion requires verification