antique ormolu mounted ebonised gilt bronze chiming bracket clock 19th c

A superb 19th Century ormolu mounted ebonised three train bracket clock, of large size.

The caddy top case decorated with five flaming urn finials and ribbon-tied foliate festoons, above an arched cast brass glazed door. This is flanked by a caryatid to each corner, with a foliate cast handle and pierced mask arched panel to each side, the clkock is raised on a stepped foot with scroll cast ormolu feet.It has a 6½in. silvered Roman chapter ring with a matted gilt centre and pierced blue steel hands, the arch above with three subsidiary dials for strike/silent, slow /fast, chime on eight bells/Westminster chime.The three train chain fusée movement with anchor escapement and pendulum locking block chiming the quarters on eight bells, with pull-quarter repeat and striking the hour on a gong.It keeps really good time and is delightful to look at and hear the wondrous chimes.
Condition:This clock is in excellent working condition, the movement having been cleaned and serviced, the ormolu mounts having been polished, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:Height 62 x Width 62 x Depth 24Dimensions in inches:Height 2 foot x Width 2 foot x Depth 9 inches
Our reference: 09221
TheWestminster Quartersis the most common name for a melody used by a set ofclockbellsto chime on each quarter hour. The number of chime sets matches the number of quarter hours that have passed. It is also known as the Westminster Chimes, or theCambridge Chimesfrom its place of origin, thechurch of St Mary the Great, Cambridge.
This chime is traditionally, though without substantiation, believed to be a set of variations on the four notes that make up the fifth and sixth measures of "I know that my Redeemer liveth" fromHandel'sMessiah.This is why the chime is also played by the bells of the so-called 'Red Tower' inHalle, the native town of Handel.It was written in 1793 for a new clock inSt Mary the Great, the University ChurchinCambridge. There is some doubt over exactly who composed it: Revd DrJoseph Jowett,Regius Professor of Civil Law, was given the job, but he was probably assisted by eitherDr John Randall(1715–99), who was theProfessor of Musicfrom 1755, or his brilliant undergraduate pupil,William Crotch(1775-1847).In the mid-19th century the chime was adopted by theclock towerat thePalace of Westminster(whereBig Benhangs), whence its fame spread. It is now possibly the most commonly used chime forstriking clocks.According to the church records ofTrinity Episcopal Church (Williamsport, Pennsylvania), this chime sequence was incorporated into a tower clock mechanism by theE. Howard & Co., Boston, MA. The clock and chime in Trinity's steeple base was dedicated in December 1875. It holds the distinction of being the first tower clock in the United States to sound the Cambridge Quarters.

Width (cm):

62

Height (cm):

62

Depth (cm):

24

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Regent Antiques Limited

We are one of the UK's premier furniture dealers and have been trading in London for three decades. We specialise in English and Continental furniture, silver, porcelain, and decorative items both antique and contemporary. We exhibit our collection in classy showrooms in our large warehouse very close to the centre of London.

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