British United Clock Company Gilt Brass Desk Timepiece with Calendar
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1890 - 1909 (?)
This desk timepiece in a cast gilt brass case features a manual calendar cylinder and was produced by the British United Clock Company in Birmingham, dated tentatively to between 1890 and 1909.
According to the British Museum, the case front incorporates cut-outs for inkwells, pen hooks, and an upper surmounting winged female figure with an anchor. It houses a 30-hour movement with an open spring, pin-pallet lever escapement, and strip-construction balance wheel. The rear view shows the circular movement cover plate featuring a curved regulation aperture alongside a lower cylindrical calendar assembly with lateral knobs.
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
- Type
- Desk clock
- Dimensions
- Height: 255 mm, Width: 190 mm, Depth: 130 mm
- Escapement
- Pin-pallet lever
- Manufacturer
- British United Clock Company
- Museum Number
- 2017,8031.29
- Condition Note
- Hand setter missing, winding key not original
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Production Place
- Birmingham, West Midlands
- Maker / attribution
- British United Clock Company
Design
- Dial Description
- The dial is composed of a circular pressed brass element with a central scene depicting a castle, sea, ship, moon, trees, and a male figure holding a lyre. The chapter ring is made of cream-colored uranium-glass enamel with Gothic-style Arabic numerals (1-12), paired with blued steel spade hands. The specific dial features described are not visible in the available photographic evidence.
- Visible features
- • Rear of the cast gilt brass case shows a winged figure surmounting the structure above a circular movement housing. • A circular brass dust cover displays a central arbor aperture, a screw head, and a curved regulation slot. • Horizontal cylindrical calendar assembly is mounted across the lower case above the stepped base, terminated by knurled side knobs. • Stepped base displays cast leaf/palmette border ornamentation along its lower rim.
- Case Construction and Features
- The timepiece is housed in a gilt brass case featuring a shaped base with two circular cut-outs intended for inkwells. The upright section incorporates a manual rotary calendar at the base, comprising a wooden disc with paper or celluloid numerals, which is manually advanced by knobs on the sides. The upper structure includes two hooks for use as pen rests and is surmounted by a figure of a winged female holding an anchor. The lower rim of the base displays decorative ornamentation. Note that the front inkwell cut-outs and pen hooks are not visible in the provided rear-facing photograph.
- Movement and Technical Specifications
- The clock utilizes a 30-hour timepiece movement with plates featuring cut-outs, resulting in an X-shaped configuration. The mechanism employs an open spring, a pin-pallet lever escapement, and a strip-construction balance wheel. The rear of the movement case features a circular brass cover with a curved aperture for rate regulation. Documentation indicates the hand-set button is missing and the winding key is not original.
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 front dial, pen hooks, and inkwell cut-outs described by the source are not visible in this rear photograph.
- Research required: Source notes the hand-set button is missing and the winding key is not original (neither key nor handset knob is installed in this photograph).