DESCRIPTION:
Henry Kerr, Edinburgh, a rare hanging regulator built on Alexander Bain's plan, walnut case with ebonized trim, projecting, canted corners with slender, turned, ebonized columns, the full length glazed door with arched opening, and applied, carved foliate spandrels, the top with narrow, cock bead bordered frieze, and cavetto molded cornice capped with ebonized thumb molding, the corners with carved " C" scroll and fleur de lis finials flanking the central, foliate carved crest, the case back with scroll and acanthus carved corbels, supporting the movement and contacts, reverse painted glass dial with gilt roman numerals on a black ground, gilt Scottish hands and concentric seconds indicator, brass, lyre shaped, skeletonized movement with damascened plates, and gravity arms controlled by the pendulum, advancing the escape wheel in one second increments, the hollow pendulum rod containing the wiring for energizing the magnet, with spherical, adjustable weight above the large, cylindrical bob with internal coil, oscillating between a pair of damascened, hexagonal tapered columns with urn finials, and holding horizontal, polished steel rods
CONDITION:
case in a good old finish, with minor bumps and dings, door with tight splits at top, carved crest with an old, nearly invisible repair, backboard with full length vertical split, damascened components in old lacquer, and in very good condition, dial very good, hands with losses to gilding, movement good, pendulum with some losses to lacquer, and minor tarnish, case originally had a bottom bracket, now lost, condition of circuitry unknown. The following is an excerpt from "Old Scottish Clockmakers" announcing Kerr's award for the workmanship in this clock's pendulum: "To Mr Henry Kerr, 10 South Saint James Street, Edinburgh, for the superior workmanship displayed in the execution of an Electric Clock Pendulum, exhibited by him on 13th April 1857. Note. This prize is awarded by the Committee not for the pendulum, but for the superior workmanship shown in it. The Reid and Auld prize fund being for rewarding superior workmanship exhibited in anything new in the Art of Clock or Watch Making by journeymen or master. The Reid and Auld prize, value three sovereigns." The case back bears a brass plaque stating that Kerr had won the prize with this clock.
ESTIMATE:
$8000
-
$12000
PRICE SOLD:
$3200
CIRCA: 1857
DIMENSIONS: 63in x 24in x 11in
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