J.W. Benson Petite Sonnerie Carriage Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1875-80
This petite sonnerie carriage clock features a gilded gorge case of smaller than average size. It is signed on the dial for the retailer J.W. Benson, 25 Old Bond Street, London.
The movement is an eight-day striking mechanism that includes a push repeat function and strikes the hours and quarters on two gongs. The clock is numbered 16949, and the source attributes the maker as Drocourt, citing the presence of the Drocourt stamp on the back plate and the Drocourt oval mark on the reverse of the dial. The clock is accompanied by an original Morocco leather-covered case.
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
- Carriage clock
- Maker
- Drocourt
- Function
- Petite sonnerie
- Retailer
- J.W. Benson
- Case material
- Gilded brass
- Serial number
- 16949
- Place recorded
- France
- Case dimensions
- 150 x 80 x 70 mm
- Maker / attribution
- Drocourt
Design
- Case and Dial
- The clock is housed in a gilded gorge case, noted to be slightly smaller than the average dimensions for this type of instrument. The design incorporates glazed panels which allow visibility of the internal brass movement from the sides and back. The dial is white with Roman numerals for the hour markers and Arabic numerals indicating the minutes at the outer edge. It is signed 'J.W. Benson, 25 Old Bond Street, London' in the lower section. The auction description reports that the dial is in near-perfect condition, though it possesses a very small and faint hairline crack located at the top right corner.
- Visible features
- • Gilded gorge style case • White dial with black Roman numerals • Two internal gongs visible for striking mechanism • Signed J.W. Benson on the dial
- Provenance and Dating
- The clock is associated with the makers Alfred and Pierre Drocourt, who operated a factory in Saint-Nicolas-d'Ailermont. The firm was known for supplying clocks to retailers in Paris and international markets. The son, Alfred, succeeded his father, Pierre, during the 1870s. Based on the serial number 16949, the auction description dates the production of this clock to the period between 1875 and 1880.
- Movement and Signatures
- The movement is an eight-day, petite sonnerie caliber capable of striking the hours and quarters, with the additional functionality of a push repeat mechanism. The striking system utilizes two gongs housed within the case. Identification of the manufacturer is confirmed by the Drocourt stamp located on the back plate of the movement, as well as a Drocourt oval mark found on the reverse side of the dial. The clock is recorded with the serial number 16949.
Identification
- Reference
- CL-CA-1589
- Serial number
- 16949
- 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 date is estimated based on the serial number
- Research required: Source notes a very faint hairline crack to the top right of the dial