Derek
Roberts Antiques.
FINE ANTIQUE CLOCKS.
Established 1968.
Tel.(01732)358986. Fax.(01732)771842.
Copyright notice
|
Derek
Roberts Antiques. |
|
No.134.
Robert Molyneux Stock Numbers 31588 and 31552
For our Clock of the Month slot this month we are doing something slightly different. We are extremely lucky to have two fantastic regulators by Robert Molyneux and we thought it would be interesting to compare them and explain the various differences.
Any time that we get two clocks by a particular maker it is always fascinating to see both the similarities and the differences.
Both of these regulators have wonderful movements and excellent cases but stock number 31552 has the better case with perfect proportions, excellent veneers and, although the movement is of fine quality, it is the case which stands out in this particular clock.
Stock number 31588 has a nice and well proportioned case, but the movement is superb with a significant number of additional features over the movement in the other clock.
Stock number 31588, with the better movement, is signed on the dial ‘Robert Molyneux, Southampton Row, London’ whereas the other clock, stock number 31552, is just signed ‘Molyneux, London.’ In addition stock number 31588 has a repeat signature on the pendulum itself. This is most unusual.
Although both clocks have full dust enclosures the movements are significantly different. The shapes of the pillars are different, one has four crossings to the wheels while the other has six, and 31588 has jewelling at the top of the train and end stops which are fully adjustable throughout the train.
It is interesting to see such great variations between the movements which suggests that maybe the lesser movement was more of a standard production and the movement on stock number 31588 was a very specific movement done for a particularly good customer of theirs.
I hope you enjoy the comparisons.
|
31588C.R The elegant mahogany case has a flat top and the sides of the hood flow into the trunk with both having canted corners to the front edge. It has a fully glazed trunk door and the base has mouldings and stands on a single plinth. Good flame mahogany veneer is used throughout and can even be found on the backboard. The silvered brass round engraved dial is of typical observatory layout with a 24 hour dial and Arabic numerals. It is signed ‘Robt Molyneux, Southampton Row, London.’ The blued steel minute and hour hand are counter balanced and it has a slender minute hand, which is counter balanced behind the dial. The substantial eight day movement is of the finest quality. It has thick plates with six beautifully turned large pillars. It has deadbeat escapement with jewelled pallets, Harrison’s maintaining power and fine wheel work with six delicate crossings. The dial feet are also beautifully shaped. The escape wheel pivots are jewelled and there are adjustable end stops through the train. The crutch has fine beat adjustment above the plates with two knurled turn screws. The movement is completely enclosed by brass dust covers and knurled brass knobs and it is secured to its seatboard by three substantial brackets. To the side of the movement and secured to the seatboard is a pulley which enable the weight to fall to the side of the case. It has a glass jar mercury pendulum with a large engraved rating nut. Interestingly the brass and steel frame holding the jar is signed the same as the dial, ‘Robt Molyneux, Southampton Row, London.’ The engraved and silvered beat plate is fitted to a block and secured to the backboard. It has a small brass covered weight which descends through the veneered base board and has a large fine pulley with six crossings and a double saddle. Height: 6' ½" (184cms). Price band: F |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
|
Robert Molyneux, London. Exactly when Robert Molyneux came to London is not known, but in his early years there he became a pupil of Thomas Earnshaw. By circa 1800 he had started up in business on his own account at 44 Devonshire Street initially as an escapement maker and later as a chronometer maker. He must have quickly gained a fine reputation, as in 1805 he was asked to be an adjudicator on Arnold’s and Earnshaw’s inventions. Molyneux’s sons joined him in the business circa 1830 and some two years later it was moved to 30 Southampton Row. In 1832 Molyneux gained the top prize of £200 at the Premium Trials instituted by the Board of Longitude to encourage makers to introduce improvements to chronometers. In the following year he gained the third Premium and in 1842 took out a patent for mid range auxillary compensation. By the mid 1840s he had achieved first place in the Premium Trials on three occasions. |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
Although the major part of Molyneux’s business was concerned with watches and chronometers, he also made some bracket clocks and in particular longcase regulators, for which he was to become well known. Indeed he advertised himself as an Astronomical Clockmaker, which refers to regulators. Most of these were made for Observatories or in at least one case, to trigger off a time cannon. By 1857 the business had been sold to Henry Appleton.
Further details and a number of his clocks can be found in ‘English Precision Pendulum Clocks’ by Derek Roberts, Chapter 8. Christopher Wood has also written various excellent articles on Robert Molyneux.
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
|
31552C.R The elegant mahogany case has a shallow break arch top, above a fluted moulding with cock bead panels surrounding the dial. The sides of the hood flow into the trunk and both have canted corners to the front edge. It has a fully glazed trunk door and the base has a recessed panel and stands on a single plinth. The best flame mahogany veneer is used throughout and can even be found on the backboard. The silvered brass round engraved dial is of typical observatory layout with Arabic numerals used for minute and seconds dial and Roman for the hours. It is signed Molyneux, London. The minute and hour hand are counter balanced and it has a slender minute hand, all of blued steel. The eight day movement has tall thick plates with five beautifully turned pillars. It has deadbeat escapement, Harrison’s maintaining power and fine wheel work. Unusually they have four delicate crossings, which are repeated in the weight pulley. The long crutch has fine beat adjustment above the plates with two knurled turn screws. The movement is completely enclosed by screwed on brass dust covers and it is secured to its seatboard by three substantial brackets. It has a glass jar mercury pendulum and an engraved and silvered beat plate, which is fitted to the backboard. The brass covered weight falls slightly to one side through the veneered base board and has a large fine pulley with a double saddle. Height: 6' 4¼" (194cms). |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
Robert Molyneux, London.
Exactly when Robert Molyneux came to London is not known, but in his early years there he became a pupil of Thomas Earnshaw. By circa 1800 he had started up in business on his own account at 44 Devonshire Street initially as an escapement maker and later as a chronometer maker. He must have quickly gained a fine reputation, as in 1805 he was asked to be an adjudicator on Arnold’s and Earnshaw’s inventions. Molyneux’s sons joined him in the business circa 1830 and some two years later it was moved to 30 Southampton Row. In 1832 Molyneux gained the top prize of £200 at the Premium Trials instituted by the Board of Longitude to encourage makers to introduce improvements to chronometers. In the following year he gained the third Premium and in 1842 took out a patent for mid range auxillary compensation. By the mid 1840s he had achieved first place in the Premium Trials on three occasions. Although the major part of Molyneux’s business was concerned with watches and chronometers, he also made some bracket clocks and in particular longcase regulators, for which he was to become well known. Indeed he advertised himself as an Astronomical Clockmaker, which refers to regulators. Most of these were made for Observatories or in at least one case, to trigger off a time cannon. By 1857 the business had been sold to Henry Appleton.
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
Further details and a number of his clocks can be found in ‘English Precision Pendulum Clocks’ by Derek Roberts, Chapter 8. Christopher Wood has also written various excellent articles on Robert Molyneux.
 Click here to enlarge picture |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
