Camerer Cuss Holborn Town Hall wall clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1880
This wall clock is attributed to the London-based firm Camerer Cuss and is dated to circa 1880. The clock features a 14-inch dial housed within a wooden case, which the seller suggests is red walnut.
The design incorporates architectural elements, specifically two carved pilasters with capitals flanking the dial and quarter-carved panels. The piece is powered by a substantial fusee movement of 8-day duration. The dial displays the retailer's name, 'Camerer Cuss & Co.' with their address at 56 New Oxford Street, London. The clock is associated by the source with the Holborn Town Hall, a structure completed in 1879.
The source notes that the rear of the dial bears scratched inscriptions referencing the firm and the location. The clock remains in its original dial configuration, with reported signs of wear consistent with its age and environment.
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 1880
- Type
- Wall clock
- Maker
- Camerer Cuss
- Movement
- 8 day fusee
- Dial size
- 14 inch
- Case material
- Wood (attributed as Red Walnut)
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- Camerer Cuss
Design
- Visible features
- • The dial is signed 'Camerer Cuss & Co. 56 New Oxford St. LONDON' • The case features a pediment top with carved decorative elements • Two vertical pilasters flank the central clock dial • A small rectangular access door is visible on the lower front section of the case
- Case and Dial Design
- The wall clock is housed in a wooden case characterized by architectural detailing. The case includes a pediment top adorned with carved ornamentation. The central dial is 14 inches in diameter and is flanked by two prominent pilasters that terminate in carved capitals. Additional decorative carved panels are situated at the corners surrounding the dial face. The dial is printed with Roman numerals and includes the retailer's signature, 'Camerer Cuss & Co.' alongside their address at 56 New Oxford Street and 'London'. According to the auction description, the dial is in original condition and displays signs of age-related wear. A small aperture for winding is present, and a rectangular access door is integrated into the lower portion of the case structure.
- Movement and Function
- The timepiece is powered by a substantial fusee movement. The fusee ensures a consistent force is delivered to the gear train as the mainspring unwinds. The clock operates via a traditional winding system accessed through the dial. While specific internal dimensions of the movement are not provided, the housing suggests a robust construction intended for long-term service in a building environment.
- Association and History
- The source attributes the clock to the Holborn Town Hall, a building constructed in 1879 in the French Renaissance style. Camerer Cuss operated from 56 New Oxford Street, a location in proximity to the town hall. The identification of the object's history is supported by the seller's report of inscriptions found on the reverse side of the dial, which specifically mention the firm and the name 'Town Hall' scratched into the material.
Identification
- SKU
- CL-WL-1555
- Serial number
- CL-WL-1555
- 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 identification of the wood as 'Red Walnut' is a speculative assessment by the seller
- Research required: The history of the clock hanging specifically in the Holborn Town Hall entrance area is presented as a suggested scenario rather than confirmed provenance