ARNOLD & FRODSHAM
84 STRAND, LONDON
Charles Frodsham was without doubt one of the most eminent clockmakers of the Victorian period. Born in 1810, his father, William Frodsham, was already a well known clockmaker and at the age of 14 he undertook a 7 year apprenticeship in the family business. He had distinguished himself at age 20 when he received 2nd prize for one of his marine chronometers in the Premium Trials at The Royal Observatory in Greenwich and in 1834 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He started his own business that same year, and in 1844 he acquired the long established and highly reputable business of Arnold & Co and moved to 84 The Strand in London. He traded as Arnold and Frodsham until 1957 when he again traded as Charles Frodsham. More information can be found on the official site at http://www.frodsham.com/index.aspx.
This fine example of his work is signed “Arnold, Charles Frodsham, 84 Strand, London”, and numbered 874 on the dial. The backplate of the movement is signed “Chas Frodsham, 84, Strand, and numbered 874”.
The substantial quarter striking 5 pillar twin chain fusee movement has a Graham dead beat escapement, and Harrison’s maintaining power to the drive train. The movement is also fitted with an unusual regulator mechanism operated from the dial via a lever mounted on a platform on top of the back and front plates of the movement. It is highly likely that this is Frodsham’s own invention, and one that I have not encountered before. The clock strikes the quarter hours on a pair of large gongs.
The heavy brass dial is finely engraved and silvered, and the original blued steel are finely cut and beautifully proportioned.
The high quality figured walnut case is mounted on ogee bracket feet, and has intricately carved mouldings to the top and the base, and around the door. The sides and the top have finely cut inset fretwork panels, and the colour of the walnut is of a very pleasing mellow and warm tone.
Height 605mm Width 470mm Depth 260mm
SOLD
Contact us by email, chapter.clocks@ntlworld.com or phone on 023 80869917
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