Lot # 85: 1880s Golf Sculpture Clock in Electroplated Nickel Silver, Movement Patented in Great Britain and France

Starting Bid: $100.00

Bids: 15 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall 2023",
which ran from 11/2/2023 12:00 PM to
11/18/2023 8:00 PM



Measuring just under 12" tall and 7 inches wide, this is a truly ornate Antique Clock—and more!  Dating to the long nose era, this sculptural work includes 5 mesh golf balls on the top of the base and 4 under the base.  There is a beautiful representation of a long nose wood and an 1880s cleek positioned in a crossing pattern on the base. The golfer is in great 1880s attire, with spats, tall socks, knickerbockers, suit coat.  He is using a ten finger grip, and elbows positioned miles away from today's form as he takes aim at a small golf ball. 

The golfer is missing his club, and the clock is missing its hour hand and the crystal (glass) for its face.

This ornate sculptured golf clock dates to the early 1890s—the underside of the base is stamped "EPNS 1880 A1" (as shown in the last image)—and the clock face itself is marked "Rd 98108" which is a British registered design number (as shown in one of the last images) that dates to 1888.  The "A1" marked on the base indicated high quality electro-plated nickel silver.

The clock is a wind-up model. The border of the face is marked "Manufactured By The British United Clock Co. Ld., Birmingham, England"  The back of the clock reads "Patented in Great Britain and France / Manfd By The British United Clock Co. Ld., Birmingham, England".  It also includes the word "Wind" and an arrow to show the direction. "RD 214,571" is stamped on the back of the plate behind the mechanism.  this is a British design patent number that dates to 1893.

The clock is not in working condition.  but the winder wound a touch when I tried it.  maybe all it needs is a good cleaning to put it back in working order. The clock itself must use quite the mechanism as it is heavy. However, I would not recommend winding it all the way up before having it inspected.

There is some tarnishing and silver loss at a few places on this piece, as can be seen in the image, but overall it still looks great! The base is engraved "The R.B. Prize, Licensed Victuallers Golf Club, Won by Archibald Wiilson, 18th October, 1894."

While this piece might be missing a few pieces, restoration could easily be worth it. They don't make clock displays like this anymore.

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