A VICTORIAN WALNUT REGULATOR

The drum-shaped pediment supported by a pair of adorned dolphins, centred by a shell, above a moulded base with brass panel engraved GREENWICH MEAN TIME, on tapering plinth, the 12in diameter brass dial signed R. Morse, 8 Charing Cross, APPOINTED BY THE HONble. BOARD THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY, subsidiaries for seconds and hours, with sweep centre minutes, the substantial movement with six pillars, deadbeat escapement and maintaining power, heavy brass pendulum mounting block, with minute-setting dial, detachable shaped back door, wood rod and brass bob pendulum; on an associated oak plinth

The clock: 76.6cm high; the plinth 105cm high

PROVENANCE BY REPUTE:
Chatham Naval Dockyard, The Commissioner’s House.

The clock was designed to be set and wound from the reverse.  Most likely it would have sat on a plinth or ledge, visible to the public to set their deck-watches before boarding a vessel to then set the chronometers to time.  

CONDITION REPORT
The clock is in unrestored condition.  The wood rod pendulum is broken just below the crutch opening.  The oak plinth is associated.  There is a spare pivot hole visible on the backplate, possibly when the barrel arbour was reversed.  There is one brass-bound weight.