Lot 25

York Minster York Minster (minster meaning large church in Anglo-Saxon) is the largest Gothic cathedral in Western Europe. Its origins date back as far as 627 when a church was built for the baptism of Edwin, king of Northumbria. The church underwent various transformations and destructions and work began on the Minster as it is currently recognised in 1220 when Archbishop Gray decided to rebuild it on a scale to rival Canterbury. The South Transept was rebuilt between 1220 and 1250 and the North Transept was started and finished a few years after. Work on the nave began in 1291. Building was to continue for some 250 years, with the twin towers of the western front being completed in 1472. These are the towers shown on Victorian skeleton clocks.

A Victorian brass quarter-chiming York Minster skeleton clock

ATTRIBUTED TO EVANS OF HANDSWORTH. CIRCA 1870

Details

A Victorian brass quarter-chiming York Minster skeleton clock
Attributed to Evans of Handsworth. Circa 1870
On variegated white marble plinth and under glass dome, the silvered chapter ring with engraved numerals, the triple chain fusee movement with anchor escapement, quarter chiming on eight bells and with hour strike on gong, wheels with six crossings; ebonised wood rod pendulum with cylindrical pewter bob, winding key
24 in. (61 cm.) high, 29½ in. (75 cm.) high over dome

Lot Essay

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Derek Roberts, British Skeleton Clocks, Antique Collectors' Club, 1987, pp.68-69, figs-26c.
F.B. Royer-Collard, Skeleton Clocks, NAG Press, London, 1969, pp.11-12, fig.1-13.

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