The dial

The 7.2-cm wide dial is throughout adorned by finely engraved flowers and scrolls. The chapter ring has Roman numerals and blued steel fleur de lys hands. Above the chapter ring is the signature for the retailer I.B. Girerd and below there is a calendar with manually set days of the week.

The movement

The movement is driven by a spring barrel and has a duration of eight days. It is regulated with an English lever escapement in combination with a plain balance. The back plate is similarly signed I.B. Girerd London.

The case

The rectangular gilt brass case is throughout adorned with similar foliate engraving. It is surmounted by a suspension hoop. Between the feet there is a revolving strut foot. At the back there are a inclined strut support and movement door both with spring loaded catch.

‘strut clocks’ and Thomas Cole

The well known clock maker Thomas Cole developed this type of clock and his name is almost synonymous with it. Often the clocks made by him were sold by other makers or retailers. The earlier ones aren’t numbered or signed by him. Still this fine clock can be attributed to him. In the book on Cole by Hawkins an almost identical clock is shown. He states that the clocks with both horizontal and inclined struts are the earliest ones. These stand out by their high attention to detail and refined engraving. The latter clocks having more simple backs.
See J.B. Hawkins, Thomas Cole & Victorian clockmaking, pp.48 (item 2)

An English engraved gilt brass strut clock, pre numbered, Cole, circa 1845.

The dial

The movement

The case

‘strut clocks’ and Thomas Cole

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