St John Fulham, May Astrological Regulator Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1850
This astronomical regulator clock, listed as Lot 38 and dated by the source to circa 1850, features an engraved dial inscribed 'MAY.', 'St John's.', and 'FULHAM.'.
The source reports that the instrument was utilised by an observatory to regulate and measure time during astronomical observations. The listing states it features a silvered brass dial with black numerals and hands, a wind movement, a mercury pendulum, and a mahogany case (printed as 'vase') measuring 180 by 34.5 by 25.5 cm. The visible dial demonstrates a classic regulator layout with independent seconds, minutes, and hours displays.
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
- Regulator
- Reported Date
- circa 1850
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Reported Materials
- Mahogany case, silvered brass dial
- Maker / attribution
- May (St John's, Fulham)
- Reported Dimensions
- 180 x 34.5 x 25.5 cm
- Reported Pendulum Mechanism
- Wind movement with mercury pendulum
- Reported Provenance / Function
- Observatory timekeeping
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular silvered dial plate with raised bezel edge • Outer perimeter minutes chapter ring marked with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals • Upper subsidiary register marked with Arabic numerals for seconds • Lower subsidiary register marked with Roman numerals for hours • Central blued minute hand and independent indicator hands on the upper and lower subsidiary dials • Engraved inscriptions reading 'MAY.' on the left, 'St John's.' in script on the right, and 'FULHAM.' in block capitals above the lower subsidiary dial center
- Dial and Configuration
- The instrument features a circular silvered brass dial plate with a raised bezel edge. It is configured with an outer perimeter minutes chapter ring marked with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals. The dial includes an upper subsidiary register for seconds (marked with Arabic numerals) and a lower subsidiary register for hours (marked with Roman numerals). Engravings include 'MAY.' on the left, 'St John's.' in script on the right, and 'FULHAM.' in block capitals above the center of the lower subsidiary dial.
- Functional Context and Provenance
- The item is identified as Lot 38, dated to circa 1850. The source states the clock was utilized by an observatory for astronomical observations. The source documentation contains inconsistent terminology, referring to the clock as 'Astrological' in the heading while describing its purpose as 'Astronomical' within the body text.
- Reported Construction and Mechanism
- The source describes the clock as having a 'mahogany vase' (interpreted as a reference to the clock case) and a silvered brass dial with black numerals and hands. The reported mechanism includes a wind movement and a mercury pendulum. Verification of the internal movement, pendulum composition, and full case construction is not possible through the available imagery, which only depicts the dial and hand assembly.
Identification
- Lot Number
- 38
- 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 auction heading refers to the clock as 'Astrological', whereas the body description specifies use for 'Astronomical observations'
- Research required: The source text describes a 'mahogany vase', which appears to be a typographical error for 'case'
- Research required: Only the dial and hand assembly are visible in the provided photograph; the full case, movement, and mercury pendulum are source-reported and not depicted