Month-Going Regulator Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1830
This month-going regulator clock is constructed with a weight-driven movement featuring a deadbeat Graham escapement. Signed by the French horologist Jean-Aimé Jacob, the movement is housed within a tall case crafted from plum pudding mahogany.
The case architecture incorporates ebony and gilded metal accents, a design characteristic attributed to the atelier of the ébéniste Adam Weisweiler. The clock measures approximately 22 3/4 inches in width, 12 5/8 inches in depth, and 84 1/2 inches in height. Designed for high-precision timekeeping, the regulator follows an architectural style associated with neoclassical cabinetmaking. It stands on a pedestal base with a full-length glazed door allowing for a view of the internal pendulum mechanism and dial.
The piece dates to circa 1830, a period following the active years of the senior Weisweiler, whose workshop continued operation under the direction of his son until 1844.
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 1830
- Type
- Longcase regulator clock
- Maker
- Jean-Aimé Jacob
- Dimensions
- 22 3/4" x 12 5/8" x 84 1/2"
- Escapement
- Deadbeat
- Cabinetmaker
- Attributed to Adam Weisweiler atelier
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Jean-Aimé Jacob
Design
- Visible features
- • Dial signed 'Aimé Jacob' • Glazed longcase front panel • Deadbeat or 'Graham' escapement mechanism • Plum pudding mahogany veneer with ebony and gilded accents
- Cabinetry and Design
- The exterior case is constructed from plum pudding mahogany, a material noted for its mottled finish. The design incorporates ebony and gilded metal accents to complement the mahogany surfaces. The structure is built in a tall, neoclassical form that features a rectangular base and a tall glazed trunk to house the pendulum. The case is attributed to the atelier of Adam Weisweiler. While the senior Weisweiler was an ébéniste active during the Louis XVI period, his workshop continued under the management of his son until 1844. The design aesthetic reflects styles established by the elder Weisweiler, who was known for creations favored by the French court and European aristocracy. The proportions of the case utilize ebony and gilded trim to accentuate the architectural lines of the clock. This construction is described as being consistent with neoclassical furniture production methods associated with the Weisweiler workshop.
- Movement and Mechanism
- The clock is built as a weight-driven regulator intended for long-term timekeeping, specifically designed to function for one month on a single winding. A primary feature of the mechanical construction is the inclusion of a deadbeat, or Graham, escapement. This mechanism is intended to eliminate the recoil associated with anchor escapements, thereby increasing the precision of the timekeeping. The movement is signed by the horologist Jean-Aimé Jacob. Regulator clocks of this configuration were originally produced to serve as reference instruments in public and government buildings, facilitating the calibration of other horological objects. The mechanical components are housed behind a full-length glass door, providing a view of the pendulum and weight system.
- Context and Attribution
- The clock is dated to circa 1830. The attribution of the case to the Weisweiler workshop aligns with the historical output of that firm, which maintained a reputation for the use of high-quality materials and precise construction. Regulator clocks were produced in limited numbers due to the high cost associated with their mechanical complexity. As keepers of time, they were essential tools for institutional and scientific settings. This specific regulator is categorized as a mechanical object that retains the characteristics of precision horology prevalent in the early 19th century.
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: Case attribution to the atelier of Adam Weisweiler remains a suggestion rather than a confirmed provenance
- Research required: The source suggests the clock type follows styles that 'prevailed during the last decades of the Ancien Régime', despite the date of circa 1830