Object Description
A very rare swinging clock by Dent of London, in which the movement and dial form the bob of a gridiron pendulum. Dent of London is a name known for high quality horological workmanship. Although we have never seen this model before, we think this will have come from the innovative period in Dent’s great clockmaking history in the second half of the 20th century.
The pendulum is suspended from a slim portico frame only 8cm deep, making it ideal for a narrow mantelpiece or shelf. The case has a silver finish nickel-plated top and base, and bronze fluted pillars. Brass finials and decorative moulding adorn the top, and nickel corinthian capitals and bases finish the portico columns.
Fixed to the case is a static bar. The clock escapement engages with this bar to impulse the movement.
The attractive 5-inch brass dial has an engine turned centre and silvered starburst Roman chapter ring with outer minute track. A silvered triangle trademark for Dent is applied to the dial.
The eight day fusee movement has pillars fixed with blued steel screws. It is wound through the dial and the timekeeping regulated by a knurled nut at the base of the gridiron pendulum, above XII on the dial.
Strong steel moon hands.
Height 37cms (14 ½ inches)
Width: 30.5cms (12 inches)
Depth: 8cms (base), although the movement requires a depth of 11cms
Dent of London is a renowned company of clockmakers established in 1814, who were commissioned to make the Standard Clock at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich which was to keep “Greenwich Mean Time” the time to which all others in the Empire were referred. In 1852, they were awarded the contract to make London’s “Big Ben” clock. They were also awarded a Royal warrants by Queen Victoria, later renewed by Edward VII and George V. A skeleton clock presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in November 2007 can today be found in the Garden Room at Buckingham Palace. Between 1950 and 2006, Dent produced exquisite Inclined Plane, Epicyclic Skeleton, Congreve, Falling Ball, Carriage and other clocks on commission for discerning collectors, this model is another.
The clock is overhauled and guaranteed for 3 years.
We also have a Freischwinger clock in stock – to be wall or ceiling mounted, which works under the same principle.