Robert Roskell, Liverpool, England, c. 1840

This clock is unsigned, but is most likely by Robert Roskell. It is a two train, eight-day lever and balance wheel escapement. Escapement is fully jeweled.

This clock follows a design made famous by the Condliff family in their series-one clock designs. These have the movement held aloft above the base by pillars. In between is located the escapement consisting of a lever escapement controlling a balance wheel. Most often a sculpted snake slithers on the base with its mouth holding one end of the helical balance spring.

This example has a set of tapered, fluted pillars and unusual tapered shaped plates. The fly governor for the strike train is a vertical arbor, 'helicopter' design.

The clock is set upon a tall octagonal base with brass octagonal glass glazed case. The effect makes what is a smaller clock look much larger. However, this is deceptive when it comes to how heavy this pice is. the clock alone weighs about 20 lbs, with case and plinth about 35 lbs.

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Provenance: Donald Saff collection, 2022