Birch & Gaydon Musical Grandmother Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1920
This musical grandmother clock, attributed to circa 1920, is constructed with a mahogany case standing 167 cm tall. It features a gilt-brass dial adorned with decorative spandrels, housing a silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes.
A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the top, along with a chime/silent selector in the arch. The timepiece is equipped with a mechanism capable of playing the Whittington chime on eight bells, supplemented by hour striking on a gong. Winding is facilitated through three holes on the dial, which control the timekeeping, chime, and strike trains. The dial bears the signature "Birch & Gaydon London," a firm associated with the retailer Asprey.
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 1920
- Type
- Grandmother clock
- Maker
- Birch & Gaydon
- Height
- 167 cm
- Chime system
- Whittington on 8 bells
- Case material
- Mahogany
- Dial features
- Gilt-brass with silvered chapter ring
- Chime selector
- Chime/Silent switch
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- Birch & Gaydon
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilt brass dial with cast corner spandrels • Three winding holes for triple-train mechanism • Engraved silvered chapter ring with Roman hours and Arabic minutes • Mahogany case with arched hood
- Movement and Sound
- The clock is powered by a triple-train mechanism, indicated by three winding holes on the dial, which drive the timekeeping, musical, and striking functions. The musical component is designed to play the Whittington chime across eight bells at quarter-hour intervals. At the top of every hour, the clock completes the sequence with an hour strike performed on a gong. The presence of the chime/silent selector in the arch allows for control over the musical output of the striking mechanism, offering flexibility in the clock's acoustic operation.
- Dial and Case Description
- The timepiece is housed in a mahogany case measuring 167 cm in height, incorporating an arched hood and a glazed door that provides a view of the dial. The dial is composed of gilt-brass, detailed with cast spandrels in the corners and around the arch. It features a silvered and engraved chapter ring displaying Roman numerals for hour indication and Arabic numerals for the minutes. Additional elements on the dial face include a subsidiary seconds dial located in the upper portion, and a selector for the chime/silent function positioned within the arch.
- Signatures and Maintenance
- The dial bears the signature of 'Birch & Gaydon London.' According to the provided information, this business was later associated with the jewelry retailer Asprey. The object is estimated to date from around 1920, based on manufacturer or retail identification provided by the source. Specific details regarding the current operational status of the movement are not provided. The source suggests that potential collectors should verify the functionality of the gear train, the condition of the bells and chime components, the presence of original weights and pendulum, and the authenticity of the wood and case joints.
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: Working condition of the movement and chime system not specified
- Research required: Internal integrity of weights, pendulum, and gear train not verified