James Stratton
Director
Lot 83TP
A fine and rare dated twin-train turret clock with 11 foot, 6 inch pendulum James Condliff, Liverpool, 1827
22 June 2021, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£3,000 - £5,000
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A fine and rare dated twin-train turret clock with 11 foot, 6 inch pendulum
James Condliff, Liverpool, 1827
The chair type frame with flared plates united by very substantial baluster pillars secured by large square nuts at both ends, the upper six pillars measuring 7.5inches in length, the lower three 16.75 inches in length, signed and dated on an engraved plaque to the front 'James Condliff / MAKER 1827 / Liverpool', the weight driven movement (weights now lacking) with 15.5inch diameter great wheels; the going train terminating in a 7 inch 'scape wheel with deadbeat teeth projecting 3/4 of an inch from the periphery of the wheel at 90 degrees, set with detachable steel pallets pivotted on a pierced arched upper section to a crutch with adjustable lateral pin below, the great wheel driving a jackshaft faced with a brass time-setting dial marked in minutes rotating once an hour and driving the lead-off shafts for the motion work (now lacking) and furthermore releasing the three-wheel striking train governed by a six-spoke countwheel and a large four-bladed fly with adjustable vanes and over-run ratchet system. Together with the original seasoned and painted pendulum rod (bob and suspension lacking) 72cms (28ins high)
The chair type frame with flared plates united by very substantial baluster pillars secured by large square nuts at both ends, the upper six pillars measuring 7.5inches in length, the lower three 16.75 inches in length, signed and dated on an engraved plaque to the front 'James Condliff / MAKER 1827 / Liverpool', the weight driven movement (weights now lacking) with 15.5inch diameter great wheels; the going train terminating in a 7 inch 'scape wheel with deadbeat teeth projecting 3/4 of an inch from the periphery of the wheel at 90 degrees, set with detachable steel pallets pivotted on a pierced arched upper section to a crutch with adjustable lateral pin below, the great wheel driving a jackshaft faced with a brass time-setting dial marked in minutes rotating once an hour and driving the lead-off shafts for the motion work (now lacking) and furthermore releasing the three-wheel striking train governed by a six-spoke countwheel and a large four-bladed fly with adjustable vanes and over-run ratchet system. Together with the original seasoned and painted pendulum rod (bob and suspension lacking) 72cms (28ins high)
Footnotes
This impressive turret clock movement may well have originated from Llanbedr Hall, Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd, near Ruthin, Denbighshire.
James Condliff (c.1790-1861) of Liverpool was a highly individual maker, constantly updating his case, dial and movement designs. Evidence of this can be seen in the varied selection of fine skeleton clocks sold in these rooms 12 December 2012 lot 98 £43,000; 13th December 2017 lot 58 £42,000; 17th June 2008 lot 74 £40,000; 12th December 2018 lot 113 £35,000 etc.
According to the latest research by Steve and Darlah Thomas, his turret clocks can be divided into two types, namely
1. The "William Leigh of Newton-le-Willows" style, thought to have been made from 1819 to around 1854. Typical characteristics are:
a. Straight, vertical side frames of flat section
b. Wedged rather than bolted frame
Examples at Edge Hill 1819, with approx. 13ft pendulum
Birkenhead Priory 1838 with approx 12 ft pendulum
2. The 'flared' style, as in the current lot. Typical characteristics are:
a. Pillar frame spacers
b. The left and right sides of the frame slope inwards
Examples at Frodsham (no date, but thought to be post 1850) small two train, bolted frame. Plain spacers.
Another small two-train example formerly known as the Aberystwyth Town Clock, (with retailer's name – Thomas Russel & Son, Liverpool) 1858. Flared, bolted frame, plain spacers. Now at Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth, Wales.
Duxbury Hall, Lancashire, un-dated but the history of the hall seems to suggest it could be from the 1820s/30s. Flared bolted frame with plain cylindrical spacers some of which are knopped. Now in a private collection.
We are grateful to Steve and Darlah Thomas for their help in compiling this footnote.
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