One of Edward Funnell’s clocks…
Apr 9th, 2009 by Andy Funnell
Following up on a comment left on the story of Edward Funnell the clock and watchmaker, I’ve been in touch with Adrian De’Ath, a UK antiques specialist.
Adrian has been kind enough to supply some photos of one of Edward Funnell’s bracket clocks he first saw in a customer’s house some 15 years ago.
This customer promised that if ever it was sold, it would be to him. It wasn’t. However, the customer remembered Adrian in her last wishes and left instructions that he receive first refusal on the sale of the clock.
Her husband, a retired antiques dealer, passed away 32 years ago. He only collected the finest of items and described this one as the best he had ever bought. Adrian seconds this, saying it’s the finest bracket clock he has bought in 38 years in the antiques business.
The clock is quite massive, standing 22 inches (56 cms) high, completely original, a three train fusee gong clock with a pull-repeat chime and strike. Pulling the repeat cord strikes the quarter, half, quarter or full hour last struck. In those times when there was no electric or even gas lighting, this would be very handy in the dark. It’s quite a rare feature and only constructed by master craftsmen, normally only in London made pieces.
One and a half centuries after it’s manufacture, the quality of the workmanship is still evident…
Pull-repeat feature
Side panel with pull-repeat feature
Edward’s signature on the mechanism
The clock is currently for sale. Valued between 4 and £5.000 at auction, it’s out of my price range. But if anyone has the means, it would be nice to know that it returned to one of Edward’s descendants. If you are interested, contact Adrian De’Ath for further information.
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