John Charles Portsea Bracket Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa early 19th century
This antique English bracket clock, attributed to the Regency period, is constructed with a mahogany case featuring decorative upper moldings and fluted corners.
The timepiece is signed by John Charles, based in Portsea, England, with the maker's name appearing on both the dial and the brass backplate of the movement. Measuring 40 cm in height including its finial, the clock features a dial with Roman numerals, darkened hands, and engraved scrollwork. Internally, it is powered by an eight-day mechanical movement utilizing a double fusee system, which governs the transfer of spring power to the gear train.
An integrated bell serves as the strike mechanism. The clock is equipped with side-mounted ring handles for portability.
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
- Bracket clock
- Maker
- John Charles Portsea
- Height
- 40 cm
- Country
- England
- Material
- Mahogany
- Movement
- 8-day double fusee
- Strike system
- Bell
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- John Charles
Design
- Visible features
- • Mahogany case with arched dial surround and fluted upper corners. • Engraved signature 'John Charles PORTSEA' on the lower dial. • Brass backplate engraved with 'CHARLES' and 'Portsea'. • Eight-day double fusee mechanical movement with bell strike.
- Condition and Attribution
- The clock is attributed to the Regency period, placing its manufacture around the early 19th century. The current mechanical condition is not documented by the source, which explicitly states that functional status or recent service history has not been declared by the seller. Prospective owners are encouraged to examine the structural integrity of the fusee chains, the suspension, the pendulum, and the mainsprings. Verification of the authenticity of all internal components is advised given the lack of specific condition reporting provided for this horological object.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The clock is housed in an English mahogany case designed with Regency period characteristics. The architecture includes a distinct upper finial and decorative fluting at the upper corners. The dial is set within an arched surround, featuring a silvered finish decorated with fine scrollwork and foliate engravings. The display utilizes black Roman numerals for hour markers and matching dark hands. The maker's signature, "John Charles PORTSEA", is prominently engraved in the lower portion of the dial, indicating the origin of the piece. Side-mounted metal ring handles are provided, consistent with the functional design of portable bracket clocks.
- Movement and Technical Features
- The timepiece is driven by a mechanical eight-day movement. It utilizes a double fusee system to ensure consistent torque delivery by managing the spring force through a chain or gut drive to the gear train. This arrangement is a conventional feature of English bracket clock design intended to improve timekeeping accuracy. A bell-striking mechanism is incorporated to sound the hours. The brass backplate of the movement confirms the signature, clearly displaying the text "CHARLES" and "Portsea" engraved directly into the metal surface, which serves as a primary point of identification for the horologist's work.
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 current functional status and internal condition of the fusees, springs, and pendulum are unverified.
- Research required: The specific date of manufacture is limited to the Regency period attribution provided in the source.