Brighton Pavilion Skeleton Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This Victorian brass skeleton clock is attributed to the maker J. Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell, circa 1890. The design of the frame draws visual reference from the dome of the Brighton Pavilion in England.
The clock features a complex 8-day, two-train fusée movement, which powers the striking mechanism for the hour and half-hour. The time is displayed on an elaborately pierced dial featuring black Roman numerals. The entire assembly is presented on a red velvet plinth and is intended to be displayed beneath a glass dome. As a skeleton clock, the timepiece is engineered to expose the internal working mechanisms, reflecting a design focus on the clock's technological components.
The dimensions of the piece are 23 inches high, 15 1/4 inches wide, and 9 inches deep.
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 1890
- Type
- Skeleton clock
- Maker
- J. Smith & Sons
- Material
- Brass
- Functions
- Strikes on the hour and half hour
- Dimensions
- 23" high x 15 1/4" wide x 9" deep
- Movement Type
- 8-day, two-train fusée
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- J. Smith & Sons
Design
- Visible features
- • Features a metallic eagle figure mounted atop the central dome • Includes two metallic lion figures standing on rectangular platforms flanking the dial • Dial is heavily pierced with a decorative filigree pattern • Clock is displayed on a red velvet covered base with brass feet
- Movement and Dial
- The movement is an 8-day, two-train fusée design, engineered to provide power for both timekeeping and the striking train. This arrangement allows the clock to sound on the hour and the half-hour. The movement is visible through the frame, consistent with the design goals of skeleton clocks produced in the 19th century. The dial is elaborately pierced and serves as the primary face for the Roman numerals. It is integrated into the center of the brass frame, allowing for visibility of the gear train behind it.
- Attribution and History
- The clock is identified by the vendor as being the work of J. Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell. The company was active in London during the 19th century, a period when English clockmakers produced significant examples of skeleton timepieces. The vendor references the publication 'Skeleton Clocks, Britain 1800-1914' by Derek Roberts as containing similar examples, establishing the object within the broader context of British clockmaking of this era.
- Design and Construction
- The clock is constructed from brass and incorporates architectural elements modeled after the dome of the Brighton Pavilion. The structure is characterized by its skeletonized frame, which exposes the movement to view, and includes decorative cast metal components such as an eagle ornament at the apex and two lions positioned at the base of the dial structure. The timepiece is mounted on a red velvet plinth and includes a custom glass dome for display. The overall composition balances the intricate, pierced metalwork of the frame with the substantial architectural references, creating a visual focus on the mechanics of the movement.
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: The exact attribution to J. Smith & Sons is reported by the vendor but not verified by independent marks shown
- Research required: The clock's operational capacity is stated in the listing but not verified here