Quality Regulator Longcase Clock – Richard Rowell – Oxford

A very fine high precision regulator made to a particularly high grade. The very heavy movement (Engraved to the back plate “Rowell 1841“) is made with six large pillars and is bolted to the original seat board with substantial brackets. The fine wheelwork is six spoke with maintaining power and the escapement has jewelled dead beat pallets. The pendulum, fixed to the backboard employs mercurial compensation. The quality of the hands and the engraving on the dial is particularly fine and typical of this period. The small and well figured mahogany case has substantial seat and back boards, a panelled base and a long thin glazed front door with canted corners to the trunk and hood. A very fine timepiece of great accuracy. History & Provenance:- The clock was made in Oxford in 1841 by Richard Rouse Rowell at the then shop and workshop in Broad Street. Richard Rowell was the second generation of watch and clockmakers. His father, George Rowell, born at Lavrock Hall, Blythe, Northumberland in 1769 and, in due course served his apprenticeship as a watchmaker. In March 1791 he moved to Oxford and set up business as a watchmaker and jeweller in Board Street. He married and had a son Richard Rouse Rowell, the maker of the clock, who was born 14th May 1808. Richard carried on the business until he died in 1884. He was succeeded in the business by his son Richard Sydenham Rowell who had been born in 1848. He moved the business from Board Street to 115 High Street, Oxford. The clock stood in both shops until 1986 when the business was sold by the Rowell family to the staff and the building to Magdalen College. The staff moved the business to 12 Turl Street, Oxford and took the clock with them on loan from the family. In 1991 the clock was returned to the family and has reminded in the family’s ownership ever since. The clock keeps time so accurately that, before the speaking clock had been inaugurated, the Oxford telephone exchange used to ring up Rowell’s shop every morning to set their clocks. The maker of the case is not known, but most probably it was made by an Oxford cabinet maker Serviced and guaranteed for 3 years. Provenance: Private collection – U.K.