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31470C.R
PARKINSON & FRODSHAM, 4 CHANGE ALLEY, LONDON. A BEAUTIFULLY ELEGANT FLAT TOP MAHOGANY REGULATOR BY THIS EMINENT PARTNERSHIP. CIRCA 1830.

A superb English flat top regulator. The mahogany case with a convex moulding to the flat top has canted corners to the side of the hood and unusually an opening bezel rather than a full opening door. The hood has glazed apertures to the side which enable the movement to the seen. The trunk of the clock again has canted corners with typical mouldings at top and bottom of the corners. It has a glazed front door and is veneered with fine quality flame veneers as is the backboard which is visible through the glass door. The trunk expands out to its base via an unusual double moulding, again with beautifully chosen veneers running right through the case. The base has a sunken panel with matched veneers and finishes in a stepped plinth which stands on four wooden pads.

The 12" regulator style dial is signed for the maker "Parkinson & Frodsham, 4 Change Alley, London". Interestingly although the "Frodsham" and "London" part of the signature have not had any changes, the "Parkinson" and the "4 Change Alley" has had a change at some stage, it is possible that the clock was originally signed Charles Frodsham who also worked at Change Alley with the rest of the family up until 1835. The dial has typical regulator layout with separate hour and second dials with the main dial being the minute dial. The seconds dial has observatory markings. The hands are of blued steel, the hour hand being spade shaped.

The movement is of superb quality and has some relatively early features, in particular the five knopped pillars, most pillars on Frodsham clocks from 1840 onwards would have been plainer than this. The movement has shouldered and stepped plates of massive proportions. There are fully adjustable end stops throughout the train where possible. The wheelwork is six spoke. It has maintaining power and jewelled pallets to the dead beat escapement. There is the usual form of beat regulation on the top of the crutch mechanism and the crutch pin itself which engages with the pendulum is nicely shaped. The crutch has two large banking pins to avoid damage to the escapement. The minute hand has a counterbalance weight. The clock has a steel rod mercury jar pendulum which runs against a beat plaque mounted on the back of the case. The offset brass weight runs down the right hand side of the case.

Height: 6' 4" (184cms)

Price band: F

PARKINSON & FRODSHAM

The first of the clockmaking Frodshams was William who was born in 1728 and may have worked as a Journeyman for Justin Vulliamy.

In 1779 he took his son, William, into partnership and the business became William Frodsham & Son.

In 1801 William Frodsham, the elder, set up his grandson, William James, in business and in partnership with William Parkinson and thus was born Parkinson & Frodsham, one of the best known names in chronometer making.

William Frodsham (the son) died before his father in the 1805 and John Frodsham, his son, took his father’s place in the partnership.

Parkinson & Frodsham commenced business at 4 Change Alley, Cornhill where they remained until 1890.

William Parkinson died in 1842 and the business was continued by William James Frodsham who handed it over to his two sons, George and William, in 1847, the year that those sons were admitted to the Clockmakers’ Company. The business prospered over the years and they were as highly thought of during the time they were active as they are today. They exhibited at the Paris Exhibition in 1867, the Le Havre Exhibition in 1868, Calcutta in 1883 and again at Paris in 1889 and so as can be seen they were internationally renowned.

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Charles was born in 1810 and was apprenticed to his father for seven years. From a very early age it was obvious he had great skills and he submitted a chronometer for premium trials gaining second prize prior to having completed his apprenticeship.

The business prospered and moved from various places starting with Change Alley and ending up at 115 New Bond Street. The move to New Bond Street took place in 1894 when 84 The Strand, their previous address, was pulled down to make way for a hotel. The firm was particularly noted for its chronometers and watches but also produced fine carriage clocks and a number of regulators.

Further information can be found in "Frodshams" by Vaudrey Mercer and "English Precision Pendulum Clocks" by Derek Roberts pages 140-162.