A closer look at clocks
Did you know..?
The word ‘clock’ comes from the Latin for ‘bell’ – ‘cloca’ – therefore only clocks with
sounding mechanisms at set intervals of time are true clocks. A silent clock without
striking mechanisms should really be referred to as a ‘timepiece’.
Some of our clocks…
We have over 30 clocks on display at Lanhydrock – most
are 8-day timepieces, but a few need to be wound more
or less often. Robert Slack, assistant house steward,
takes care of the clock collection, making they all work
and tell the correct time. He describes his favourite
clocks here, but you can find out more on
www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk
In the corridor to the billiard room
This is an 8-day brass dial long case clock made by Middleton
of London, c1790.
The case is mahogany with veneered panels and cross
banding. The break arch dial is brass with rococo spandrels,
and Tempus Fugit (Time Flies) is written on the disc. The hands
are made of steel.
The false plate is signed by John Reed of Birmingham.
Tommy’s room
Commonly known as an ‘anniversary clock’, this is a 400-day
timepiece, so only needs winding on annually. It dates from
around 1910.
The white enamel dial has a beaded surround, Arabic numerals
and steel spade hands.
The clock casing is of brass and the movement stands on 2 brass
pillars which in turn stand on a spun brass base. The domed
glass cover is not shown in this photograph.
Nursery passage cuckoo clock
This beautifully carved Swiss wooden cuckoo clock is a 30-hour
clock, so needs winding daily. It has hands and numerals made
from bone.
The Cuckoo appears every half hour and strikes at the same
time.
Originally in the day nursery, the clock is recorded in the 1886
inventory and valued at £1 & 10 shillings.
Nursery scullery
This is an 8-day English dial timepiece by J. Treleaven of
Bodmin (who also signed the inner wall by the courtyard
clock), c1880.
It has a mahogany case, a white painted dial with Roman
numerals and steel hands.
Entrance to the servants’
area (just prior to the stone staircase)
This is an 8-day long case Yorkshire-style clock. It was
retailed by Henry Leadbetter at Congleton c.1850.
The painted arch dial has Roman numerals and is prettily
decorated with traditional gilded images of roses.
Servants’ staircase landing
Another 8-day long case clock; this was made by John
Broad of Bodmin. He is recorded as working as a
watchmaker between 1809 and
1856. This clock dates from about
1820.
The clock case is of veneered
rosewood and is decorated with a
yellow painted pattern. The break
arch dial was made by Finnemore and is painted with a
hunting scene. The hands are gilt brass.
Livery room
This early Edwardian 8-day wall clock has an
ornate wooden case, decorated with 4 columns,
side shelves and mirrors.
It is rare to find a clock of this age with the
original mirrors still intact.
The ceramic dial has a brass centre, Roman
numerals and steel hands. The cover is silvered
glass.
Teak stairs alcove (as you come down from the servants’ quarters)
This is an 8-day quarter striking long case clock, by
Ferdinand Vigne of London, c1740. It strikes the
quarters on 8 bells, the hours on one.
The case is veneered with walnut and burr elm panels.
You need to take a closer look to appreciate the brass
break arch dial with its mask and scroll spandrels and
wheatear border.
Her Ladyship’s bedroom
This 8-day French mantel timepiece from 1880 is in a Meissen
porcelain case. It is displayed in Her Ladyship’s bedroom with
other Meissen pieces – a mirror and candlesticks - which were
a wedding gift from Thomas Charles to his new wife.
The dial is made from white enamel with Roman numerals and
Arabic minutes. It has a brass bezel with convex bevelled glass.
The present dial and movement is not original to the clock as
this would have been a pendulum movement, and was removed
prior to National Trust ownership.
Boudoir
This is an 8-day French conical pendulum mantel clock,
c1860. It has a white enamel chapter ring with roman
numerals and the centre of the dial is cut out to expose the
front plate. The hands are made of steel.
The clock casing is alabaster with ormolu mounts, and is
topped with a cherub who holds the pendulum.
The clock stands on a velvet-covered wooden base and is
covered by glass dome.
Drawing room
This 8-day timepiece is part of a desk set on the secretaire in this
room. The set is made from highly polished leather, with gilt
stamped decoration and includes a writing tray with blotter, a
lidded stationary box, a covered inkstand and this small box clock.
The set was retailed by J.C. Vickery of Regent Street, London,
and was part of the house contents when the Trust took over
Lanhydrock in 1953.
Morning room
A 19th century French Boulle and tortoiseshell 8-day
mantel clock in the 17th century style.
The boullework case has brass mounts and is
surmounted by a pipe playing putto. The dial is brass with
steel hands, while the numerals are on enamel plaques.
The backplate is signed H.J. & Co., Paris (Henri Jacot).
This clock can be seen in the Agar-Robartes’s family
photographs of the morning room from 1910.
Coach house turret
This clock was erected in 1906 so that the estate
workers would have no excuse for poor time-keeping.
It was erected by J. Treleaven of Bodmin who wrote
his details on the wooden inner wall of the turret.
We know the 8-day movement, regulated by a long
wooden pendulum, was overhauled every 2 years by
William Cole, head groom, as he has written on the
same wall:
‘Wm. Cole in charge; Overhauled:
1909 wc; 1911wc; 1913 wc; 1915 wc; 1917 wc’
It was made in a traditional cast iron A-frame design in 2 halves and it’s painted in
the Lanhydrock house colours.
Housemaids’ sitting room (now part of the restaurant)
On the far wall in the servants’ hall restaurant you’ll see
this 8-day English drop dial clock in a mahogany case,
signed by Jno. Payne Wallingford. John Payne is recorded
as working as a clockmaker in Wallingford around 1830.
The case is mahogany, with side and bottom doors. The
bezel is cast from brass and the convex, white painted dial
has Roman numerals and steel hands.
Want to know more?
To find out about our other clocks, and all the other items in our collection, visit
www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk