Time will tell for clock name
Q
. I’m curious what you can tell me about the story of this mantel clock I inherited. It’s been in my mother’s Manchester, England, family since at least 1879 and has great sentimental value. It is marked ‘Headling’ and ‘Oldham’ and is 43 centimetres tall by 28 cm wide (17 by 11 inches). There are glass side panels that show the workings. It is in running condition. Lyndsay, Guelph
A
. The county of Lancashire became a huge production centre of cotton products during the Industrial Revolution in England. Keeping accurate time was essential for industry, and clockmaking blossomed in the area — which included the town of Oldham (now part of Greater Manchester). Allan Symons, curator of the Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ont., helped with research on your clock. After researching the museum’s extensive library, he informed me that there is no listing for a clockmaker with the surname ‘Headling’ and suggested that it is probably the name of the retailer, which also did not show up under shop listings. Retailers were often jewellers. Mantel clocks in this form are often called ‘bracket clocks’ and he pointed out that this would not be called a ‘bracket’ style clock because it does not have a handle on the top. We do know that this is a Regency clock dating circa 1835. Movements were made by clockmakers and cases were made by cabinetmakers. The two parts were assembled by the jeweller, who might then add their own name to the finished product. Henry Cox of London and William Marsh of Diss and Shoreditch, London, are two possible makers of your wonderful timepiece. Newly published research might reveal the maker of this clock, which is worth $1,750 in Britain.
Q
. I inherited this carved wooden earring and brooch set from my motherin-law, who grew up in Quebec — where I think they originate. She lived there in the 1950s. The lady brooch is 4.4 centimetres tall (1.75 inches). Hopefully you might find the artist and will let me know more about the items. Nancy, Cochrane
A
. The mystery artist is certainly a member of the Bourgault family from St-Jean-Port-Joli, Que. Three brothers — Médard, Jean-Julien and André — were operating a sculpture workshop there by 1940. Many members of the family have continued the tradition, making St-Jean-Port-Joli a tourist destination. I might attribute these to a nephew, Lucien Bourgault (born 1922). He is not as well-known as his three uncles, but he did learn his craft at their studio and his work is considered to show a good sense of colour. He was carving in the 1950s.
Your set is worth about $45.
Q
. My wife was given this item by her father and we would like to know more about it. The light was removed from a Welland house by her grandfather about 88 years ago. It is missing the globes but the holders are patented Sept 29, 96 (1896) and it is magnetic metal with a coppery finish. It is 56 centimetres wide and 76 cm high (22 by 30 inches). Thanks for any help you could provide on this. John, Waterloo
A.
This chandelier is right in style with an Arts and Crafts Movement home. William Morris was a leader of the movement in Britain and Gustav Stickley was the American extension. These new designs promoted simple and practical handcrafted products, often with the look of hammered metal and rivets, as in your iron chandelier with copper patina. The era your fixture represents began around 1890 and continued into the 1920s. Even though designs were new and original, they had hints of times past such as the Middle Ages — note the hoop with the hooded scowling knight’s face. Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Conn., might be the maker of your American lamp. The four shades would be metalframed textured caramel slag glass. As it hangs, it’s worth about $450. With shades you can expect $1,250 or more.
John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to this column, go to the Contact John page at www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your piece, say when and how you got it, what you paid and list any identifying marks. A high resolution jpeg must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) Appraisal values are estimates only.