This March, a good Brass Skeleton Striking Mantel Clock by Evans of Handsworth will be coming up for auction in the Spring Fine Sale on 15th March (estimate: £1,500-2,000 plus buyer’s premium), and ahead of the sale we are taking a closer look at the skeleton clock.
The 19th century marked the golden age for skeleton clocks, which are defined by having the movement plates cut and pierced into decorative symmetrical designs to leave the wheelwork and escapements visible. Displayed under glass domes, all the intricate detail and workings of the clock become a work of art in their own right.
A Good Brass Skeleton Striking Mantel Clock, by Evans of Handsworth, retailed by Vassalli, Scarborough, circa 1870
Estimate: £1,500-2,000 plus buyer’s premium
To be sold in the Spring Fine Sale on 15th March.
During the Victorian era, which encompassed the Aesthetic movement, skeleton clocks became fashionable, gracing the mantels of affluent British households. Whilst their earliest origins are unclear, skeleton clocks began to be made in France towards the end of the 18th century, and there are a small number of unusual examples that were made in England around the same time, for example a unique 1776 clock by Joseph Merlin, now in the Kenwood House Collection. However, the popular form developed from the early French models and had become commonly found in Britain from the 1820s, and remained in fashion until the early 20th century.
A Good Brass Skeleton Striking Mantel Clock, by Evans of Handsworth, retailed by Vassalli, Scarborough, circa 1870 (Detail)
Skeleton clocks were largely made by a few specialist makers, predominantly based in London, Birmingham and Liverpool, and more prolific manufacturers such as John Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell and James Condliff of Liverpool supplied retailers who would add their names to the dials.
Arabesque Skeleton Clock, by Evans of Handsworth
Sold for £1,200 plus buyer’s premium
Made in numerous different forms, from simple timepieces to clocks with unusual escapements and different complications such as strike on the hour, passing strike, chiming and musical. Some examples were even made with more elaborate decorative brass work, in the form of great cathedrals such as Westminster Abbey and York Minster.
COLLECTING SKELETON CLOCKS
Collectors look out for examples with fine workmanship, signs of which include 5/6 spoke wheels, steel hand screws, balance wheels and fusee chains with a good blued finish, well executed detailing to the pierced brass plates and a nicely polished finish.
A Good Brass Skeleton Striking Mantel Clock, by Evans of Handsworth, retailed by Vassalli, Scarborough, circa 1870 (Detail)
Often it is difficult to establish the maker of skeleton clocks, as some of the most famous makers did not sign the clocks, and so only by close study of the workmanship the clock design, and the movement plates can the maker be established.
Keep an eye out for pieces by the most in-demand clockmakers, such as John Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell, Evans of Handsworth (Birmingham), John Pace, and James Condliff of Liverpool.
JAMES CONDLIFF OF LIVERPOOL
A Very Rare Balance Wheel Lever Escapement Centre Seconds Striking Skeleton Clock, Attributed to James Condliff, Liverpool, prototype second series, circa 1840
Sold for £15,000 plus buyer’s premium
James Condliff opened his business at 32 Gerard Street, Liverpool in 1816, and is regarded as one of the finest English skeleton clockmakers of the 19th century, as well as being known for producing high quality regulators. His skeleton clocks were individually handcrafted and no two of his clocks were made exactly alike, and he produced timepieces, striking clocks and chiming examples. It is thought that only a small number of his clocks are still in existence today.
A particularly fine example attributed to Condliff sold for £15,000 at Tennants in 2015, a Very Rare Balance Wheel Lever Escapement Centre Seconds Striking Skeleton Clock. It is believed this example is only one of two other Condliff clocks in this distinctive 'transitional' style to be in existence. Condliff produced three distinct series of skeleton clock, and this prototype second series incorporates the first series four column lower frame with a rectangular base with delicate upper scroll frame movement plates.
