Philcox's Patent No. 44 c.1850 Stock No. 3227

Philcox's Patent No. 44 c.1850

An elegant early Victorian mantel clock, the silvered engraved brass dial signed 'Philcox's Patent No. 44'. The two train movement strikes on a bell, and now has a conventional anchor escapement. The ebonised case has fish scale side frets, simple ring handles, and restrained brass stringing, and sits on adjustable brass ball feet. 

Price: £3,400
Stock No. 3227

George Philcox is recorded working in South London from 1839 to 1875. Britten records that 'he spent his life in endeavouring to improve timekeepers by various inventions in connection with escapements and compensation; he died in the Watchmakers' Asylum, New Southgate in 1878'. In fact he obtained several patents, but the results were far from satisfactory, as he tried to simplify and cheapen the English lever escapement. They were nearly always subsequently replaced with a more reliable arrangement, as is the case here. A label on the back door records his details.