31923  JOHN FRODSHAM, GRACECHURCH STREET, LONDON.

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The well figured rosewood case with bevelled glass panels to the top and sides with an unusual folding gilt hexagonal bar handle having scroll ends and terminating with lions heads. The case stands on gilt bun feet.

The silvered brass dial has Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at XII and foliate scroll engraving to the surround. It has nicely shaped blued steel hands, and is signed Frodsham Gracechurch Street London.

The two train chain fusee movement has fine wheel work and a gilded platform lever escapement with plain balance. It sounds the hours on a gong mounted on an unusual steel mounting which gives it a nice melodious sound. Unusually the clock has a pull repeat chord rather than a push button. The back plate is similarly signed Frodsham, Gracechurch Street, London.

Case height: 9 ¼” (23.5 cm).

John Frodsham was born in 1785 and admitted to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1822. He had a son, Henry John, and took him on as an apprentice in 1830. Henry was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1838.

John had premises at 33 Gracechurch Street from circa 1825 to 1837. The business moved next door to number 31 where they remained until the turn of the century. It is recorded that the business was trading as Frodsham & Son from 1834 to 1853. John Frodsham died in 1849 and the Frodsham business went into partnership with Baker in 1854 and traded as Frodsham & Baker until 1863.

References:

Victorian Clocks by Richard Good
Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World by Brian Loomes.