Neoclassical pendulum bracket clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1780
This Neoclassical pendulum bracket clock features a rectangular mahogany case with architectural details, including two fluted gilt-brass pilasters flanking an arched opening, a dentil-moulded cornice, and a stepped plinth surmounted by a turned urn finial.
Catalogued with a movement by John Jardin, London, and a case attributed to David Roentgen of Neuwied circa 1780, it incorporates mechanisms to change the date and melodies, as well as a strike-silent lever, operating a 14-hour musical striking train on 12 bells. The main white enamel dial with Roman numerals sits below two upper subsidiary dials and an engraved signature plate.
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
- Pendulum bracket clock
- Materials
- Mahogany, glass, brass, white enamel dial, cast metal
- Dimensions
- H 61.5, W 42, D 27.5 cm
- Movement Maker
- John Jardin, London
- Place recorded
- Germany / United Kingdom
- Case Attribution
- David Roentgen, Neuwied, ca. 1780
- Musical Striking
- 14-hour musical striking to 12 bells
- Maker / attribution
- Movement: John Jardin; Case attributed to David Roentgen
- Signature Inscription
- John Jardin London
Design
- Visible features
- • Fluted brass-finished classical pilasters flank the arched front aperture. • White enamel main chapter dial displays Roman numerals with three winding apertures. • Two subsidiary dials flank an engraved central signature plate reading 'John Jardin LONDON' in the arch. • The mahogany case is crowned by a pierced metal gallery and a turned urn finial set on a circular stepped plinth.
- Dial and Mechanism
- The clock features a white enamel dial with an engraved signature on the bezel reading 'John Jardin London'. The movement includes mechanisms for changing the date and melodies, and a function to switch off the striking. The clock performs 14-hour musical striking on 12 bells. It is recorded that the enamel dial has been restored.
- Case Construction and Design
- The clock is housed in a rectangular mahogany case featuring four glazed windows with an arched front. Decorative elements include two fluted pilasters on the front, a staggered architrave, a pierced gallery, and a base for an urn. The case is attributed to the David Roentgen manufactory in Neuwied, dating to approximately 1780. The design exhibits stylistic parallels to other items of furniture and clocks produced by the studio, specifically the portal motif featuring two pilasters framing an arc, which appears on a desk in Wilhelmshöhe palace near Kassel and in comparable pieces held by the Metropolitan Museum and the Hermitage.
- Historical Context and Provenance
- The object contains a movement by John Jardin. The source notes that it was previously not known that the Roentgen studio produced cases for English clock movements. The provenance includes a Rhenish collection, with the clock previously sold at Lempertz auction 902, lot 652, on May 18, 2007.
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 catalogue notes that the enamel is restored.