Fine and rare mahogany Bentley electric longcase earth drive...

Estimate

£5,000 - £8,000

Fine and rare mahogany Bentley electric longcase earth driven clock (no. 210), the 11.5" silvered chapter ring enclosing a skeletonised centre with subsidiary seconds dial over a brass pendulum with steel rod, within a bevelled glazed foliate carved rounded arched case with panelled carved base, supported upon ogee bracket feet, 78.25" high (with steel rod pendulum and brass bob)

** Some provenance written by the vendor:
My late Father was Managing Director of the Bentley Engineering Group, and his office was based at the Bentley HQ in New Bridge Street, Leicester. In the Board Room was a beautifully carved long case Bentley earth driven clock – number 210 – which was given to him personally by William (Bill) Bentley (son of P.A. Bentley). I also worked for the Bentley Group and around 30 years ago my Father passed it to me. My wife and I lived at Whitemoors Antiques Centre in Shenton for 20 years and the clock was located in our private lounge prior to moving to Cosby, where we have resided for the past 11 years.

**Some 22 years ago the clock (converted by Bentley at the time of manufacture to mains power) worked perfectly, but we deliberately stopped it as the tick was quite loud and we didn’t want to wear out any parts. The dimensions are: Height 200cm, Width 40cm, Depth 24.5cm at base (21cms at middle)

** In common with many manufacturers, the Serial number on the movements did not commence with No. 1 and it is doubtful if more than about 70 Bentley Earth driven clocks were ever manufactured.  Further details on these clocks can be found in the article entitled 'The Earth Driven Clock' by Dr. F.G.A. Shenton which appeared in the December 1972 issue of Antiquarian Horology. 

** Manufactured between 1910 and 1913 and originally sold through upmarket department stores including Harrods, these are extremely rare clocks. The one given to Leicester Museum in 1910 ran continuously for 40 years, only receiving its first brief service in 1950.