Classically Victorian, the charm of this clock lies in its neat style and its visible escapement.
Item Description
Victorian slate mantle clock. Black marble clocks became popular in the UK when Queen Victoria lost her husband, Prince Albert, She and the country went into a prolonged state of mourning. Black cloths were draped across parlours, the queen dressed in black and her subjects did their bit by buying all things black. They even painted ornaments black.
Generally known as black slate clocks by the trade the stone is in fact neither marble nor slate. It is a Belgian calcite with a slightly porous texture. Marble is a much harder and impervious stone and these clocks were often inlaid with genuine marble to give them a little style and colour, gildings or engravings.
This mid-sized clock, which chimes delicately on a cup bell on the half hour and hour, has been recently professionally serviced. There is slight damage and repair to the front corner of the base plinth – see pictures – but this doesn’t distract from the timeless charm of this Victorian staple.
Advice from the experts is to handle these clocks with care. They are not held together with modern adhesives and lifted by the top, they can come apart. The recommendation – hold them like a baby!
Dimensions (approx): H – 25cms W – 40cms D – 14cms
£220.00 plus p&p
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