Arnold & Frodsham ~ No 736.

It’s not often you will have the opportunity to buy a rare twin fusee carriage / mantel clock of small proportions made by Arnold & Frodsham – two of Englands finest makers.
John Roger Arnold had a prestigious clock and watch shop and workshops at 84 The Strand. He was the apprentice of his father John Arnold and Abraham Louis Breguet. He formed a business with Edward John Dent ( of Big Ben fame – the Westminster Clock) between 1830 and 1840, becoming Arnold & Dent. In 1843, when J.R. Arnold died suddenly, Dent opened a shop at 82 The Strand while Charles Frodsham bought the Arnold’s business and premises at 84 The Strand, becoming Arnold & Frodsham. Interestingly, this clock has “Arnold 84 Strand” marked on the dial, and to the backplate lower corners “Charles Frodsham 84 Strand” (see pictures), so I think we can assume that this clock was started by Arnold but finished and sold by Frodsham after Arnold’s demise . This clock is bell striking with a pull repeat. The engraved and detailed brass/gilt dial and fine ebonised case in the Chinese pagoda style, popular of the period. Particularly small in size and having a miniature chain fusee movement of superb quality with beautiful finishing throughout. The original ‘balance wheel’ lever escapement is visible through the top glass. A very attractive and interesting clock, and possibly one of the last Arnold made.