Bracket Clock by Francis Holland
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1795
This antique bracket clock is attributed to the London-based maker Francis Holland, dating to the late eighteenth century, approximately 1795. The clock features a pad-top design with a black ebonized wooden case, accented by brass moldings on the corners and upper section.
It is supported by four molded brass feet and includes a hinged brass carrying handle. The movement is a mechanical twin-fusee design, intended to provide uniform power transmission. The brass dial is arched, featuring cast spandrels, a matted center, and a silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and Arabic minute markers. An arched aperture includes a strike/silent selector. The maker's name, Francis Holland, is engraved on a silvered oval plaque in the center of the dial.
The rear plate of the movement is plain, incorporating a pendulum holdfast for secure transport. The strike mechanism operates against a bell mounted above the movement.
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 1795
- Type
- Bracket clock
- Maker
- Francis Holland
- Origin
- London, England
- Dial type
- Arched brass
- Signatures
- Engraved silvered oval plaque
- Case material
- Ebonised wood
- Movement type
- Twin fusee
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- Francis Holland
Design
- Visible features
- • Strike/Silent selector located in the arch of the dial • Movement backplate features a pendulum holdfast • Case features side glass panels allowing view of the movement • Dial contains a silvered oval plaque with engraved signature
- Case Construction
- The clock is housed in an ebonized wooden case characterized by its compact dimensions and a pad-top profile. The exterior is refined with brass decorative moldings along the roof and corners, providing contrast against the black finish. A brass carrying handle is mounted to the top of the case to facilitate movement. The case includes glass side panels, which permit visual inspection of the internal components. The assembly rests upon four molded brass feet. The physical proportions are described as compact and proportionate, though specific measurements are not provided.
- Dial and Indication
- The dial is crafted from brass and features an arched upper section. The display is composed of a silvered chapter ring with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute indicators, surrounding a matted center. Decorative cast spandrels surround the main chapter ring. A silvered oval plaque centered on the dial bears the inscription of the maker, Francis Holland. In the arch, a subsidiary dial and hand indicate the strike/silent setting, allowing the user to manage the clock's auditory output.
- Movement and Mechanism
- The clock is powered by a mechanical twin-fusee movement, designed to maintain constant force to the gear train. The strike system engages a hammer against a metal bell situated at the top of the movement. The rear of the movement features a plain, undecorated backplate. It includes a pendulum holdfast designed to secure the pendulum during transit. The auction description reports the clock as being in original condition, though it lacks documentation regarding its most recent service or operational precision.
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: Condition of fusee springs, chains, or lines remains unverified
- Research required: Internal mounting integrity of the movement within the case has not been independently examined