Gravity mantel clock, circa 1880
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1880
This gravity mantel clock was manufactured in France and retailed by Barraud & Lund, London, circa 1880. The timekeeping mechanism is housed in a round casing suspended within a wooden structure comprised of a curved canopy supported by four tapering pillars rising from a square base.
The movement operates by gravity; the clock casing is fitted with a gear mechanism that meshes with a vertical brass toothed runner positioned between two plain brass vertical guides. As the clock descends the runners under its own weight, the gear train is driven to operate the mechanism. The constant weight of the casing ensures that the motive force remains consistent at any given location. The timepiece measures 18.5 cm in length, 18.5 cm in width, and 41 cm in height.
It was acquired by the museum in 1952 via a donation from Joseph Lowy.
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
- Gravity clock
- Maker
- France
- Height
- 41 cm
- Retailer
- Barraud & Lund, London
- Place recorded
- France
- Dial Inscription
- Barraud & Lund, Vendors, London
- Maker / attribution
- Barraud & Lund (retailer)
- Registration Number
- ST 23539
- Backplate Inscription
- Made in France
Design
- Visible features
- • The clock dial bears the mark 'Barraud & Lund, Vendors, London'. • The backplate features the inscription 'Made in France'. • The mechanism relies on a toothed vertical brass track for descent. • The wooden canopy is topped by a decorative finial.
- Signatures and Origins
- While the clock's internal components and housing construction are attributed to a French source, its distribution and final retail were managed by the London-based firm of Barraud & Lund. The identification of the retailer and origin is confirmed by two distinct marks located on the timepiece. The dial serves as the primary location for the retailer's identity, while the movement backplate provides the geographical attribution of the clock's manufacture.
- Structural Configuration
- The clock is designed as a mantel timepiece characterized by a gravity-driven descent mechanism. The visual profile is dominated by a rounded, dark wood-cased clock body suspended beneath an arched wooden canopy. This superstructure is held aloft by four slender, tapering pillars that anchor into a substantial square wooden base. The mechanics of the ascent and descent are facilitated by two vertical brass runners anchored to the base and the canopy. One of these runners is engineered with a rack of teeth, which engages directly with the internal gear train of the clock head. The weight of the movement itself provides the necessary force to power the escapement as it travels downward.
- Provenance and Technical Principle
- The clock was accessioned into the museum's collection on November 19, 1952, following a donation by Joseph Lowy. The device operates on the principle that the gravitational force acting upon a constant mass results in a consistent motive power. By allowing the clock head to slowly descend along the toothed runner, the energy required to drive the wheels is maintained at a steady rate throughout the clock's travel duration.
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 identity of the French manufacturer remains unstated.
- Research required: The functionality of the gravity mechanism as an accurate timekeeper is not independently verified.