Brockbank & Atkins, London No. 2313
An English architectural Egyptian-style marble timepiece, with fusee movement. Circa 1860.
The multi-piece solid black marble case is architectural in form with a flat top and moulded base. The two-turned columns have Egyptian stylised pictures and hieroglyphics in relief. These are beautifully executed and very subtle in appearance.
The gilded 3½” diameter dial has a matt chapter ring with slender black Roman numerals and a fine minute track. It is signed either side of XII “Brockbank & Atkins, London 2313”. The centre of the dial is smothered in electro-formed scrolling foliage in an engraved style. It has Breguet style blued steel moon hands. The bezel has a decorative sight ring and a thick bevelled-edge glass.
The 8-day timepiece movement has recoil anchor escapement and chain fusee. It has four nicely turned tapered pillars and fine wheel work. The round back plate is engraved “Brockbank & Atkins, London 2313”. It has a simple brass pendulum and a heavy lenticular bob with a rating nut above for ease of regulation. The pendulum can be locked on the back plate of the movement for safe transportation.
Dimensions:-
Height – 10¾“ (27cm) Width - 11¾“ (30cm) Depth – 6½” (15cm)
Brockbank & Atkins, London.
Brockbank & Atkins was a well respected company and the combination of two accomplished watch and clockmaking families. As always with these large families, it is very confusing and not particularly clear which members were actually in the partnership.
John Brockbank was apprenticed in 1761 and was a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers from 1769 to1806. Myles Brockbank was apprenticed in 1769 and was a member of the Worshipful Company from 1776 until he died in 1821. William Brockbank was apprenticed in 1794 and was a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers from 1807 to 1818.
George Atkins was born in 1767 and was a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers from 1788 to1855. George Atkins became Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1845. His son, Samuel Elliott, was apprenticed in 1821 and was a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers 1831 until he died in 1898.
Brockbank & Atkins were working at 6 Cowpers Court, London from 1815 to 1839. They then moved to 3 Newman’s Court, Cornhill, EC from 1840 to 1918.
Brockbank & Atkins always produced clocks, watches and chronometers of the highest quality and a number of the fine examples still survive today.
References:
‘Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World’ by Brian Loomes.
‘Chronometer Makers of the World’ by Tony Mercer.
‘The French Marble Clock’ by Nicholas M Thorpe, page 28.
George Atkins’ portrait is held in the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Collection.