Edward John Dent clock/barometer

Edward Dent clock/barometer made in London circa 1840This wall clock-barometer combination was made circa 1840 by Edward J. Dent of London, who was Watchmaker to the Queen and then Clockmaker to the King. Edward Dent is best remembered for being awarded the contract to build the great Westminster Clock, now popularly referred to as ‘Big Ben.’ Edward Dent died in 1853, and his business was inherited and split between his two stepsons, Frederick and Richard Rippon, on the condition that they took their stepfather’s family name. Frederick took over management of the firm's shops at the Royal Exchange and the Strand, while Richard inherited the Cockspur Street shop.

It is unusual to find this impressive wall clock and barometer combination constructed at such a large scale. The case is approximately 55 inches long, 21 inches wide, and 5 inches deep. This is the second example we've owned in over 50 years in business, and we've seen one other example displayed in Europe. Clocks of this scale may have been specifically ordered for a public place for all to observe.

The case is veneered in figured mahogany, featuring vibrant grain patterns. The design is a figure-eight-shaped form with canted waist corners and extensive cross-banding throughout. The painted iron dial is a convex form and measures approximately 16 inches in diameter. The time ring is formatted with closed minute rings and large Roman-style hour numerals. It is signed in the middle section, “E. J. DENT / LONDON.”

In the middle section of the case is a thermometer. The faceplate is brass and has been treated with a silver wash. It is formatted with a scale engraved with the following benchmarks, “Fever -Heat, Blood – Heat, / Sumr – Heat, / Tempe - rate/ and Freez – ing.” These are all important markers on the thermometer scale. Their numerical values are also included here and range from 5 degrees to a high of 126 degrees. Additional decorative engravings frame the thermometer.

The lower section features a barometer dial that measures approximately 14 inches. This dial is also brass and has been finished in a silver wash. This dial is calibrated from 28" to 31", engraved with weather indications. The center is decorated with a fancy compass star. Two hands are centered here. The longer of the two is the pointer for the barometer. This provides actual time positions of the instrument's reads. The smaller brass hand is fixed. It is manually adjusted by the observer. This is done by turning the wooden knob below the thermometer. Set this hand at the current reading, and when you return, you will know if the hand behind it has moved. This movement will reflect a change in the weather. The barometer is operated by a glass J-tube mounted inside the case.

This clock is powered by a quality brass single spring fusee movement. It is designed to run 8-days on full wind.

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