Dreweatts Donnington Priory Salerooms
Lot 39
A Victorian walnut bracket clock E. Dent & Co., London, late 19th century The five pillar twin chain fusee gong striking movement with anchor escapement, pendulum holdfast and signed DENT (within triangle) 4 ROYAL EXCHANGE & 61 STRAND, LONDON, 42177 to backplate, the 8 inch circular white painted Roman numeral dial with repeat signature to centre, with cast brass bevel-glazed bezel and in triangular pedimented walnut case with canted angles to front and rectangular brass fish scale frets to sides, the base with deep ogee moulded apron above plinth with squab feet, 47cm (18.5ins) high. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. Edward John Dent was a talented horologist who at the age of 17 transferred his apprenticeship from the trade of tallow chandler to watchmaking under the charge of Edward Gaudin in 1807. By 1814 he was becoming well known as a watch and clockmaker receiving commissions from the Admiralty for a `Standard Astronomical Clock` and pocket chronometers for the Colonial Office Africa Expedition. In 1830 Dent went into partnership with the renowned watch and chronometer maker John Roger Arnold which continued until 1840 when he left and set up business alone as E.J. Dent at 82 Strand, London, primarily making marine chronometers, watches and precision clocks. In 1852 Edward Dent successfully tendered to make the Great Clock to be housed in St. Stephens Tower at the New Palace of Westminster. The clock was completed in 1859, apparently at a financial loss to the firm, however it ensured that the Dent name became a household name synonymous with fine clockmaking. After his death in 1853 the firm was continued by his successors becoming E. Dent & Co. in 1861, and operated from 4 Royal Exchange and 61 Strand between the years 1886 and 1904.
