Winston Sectric Mantel Clock: Statement of Significance

Figure 1: The Winston Sectric Mantel Clock has a sleek geometric design, typical of  Art-Deco style. The black panels are likely crafted from Bakelite (Kelland 2021b).

Figure 2: Aerial perspective of the personalised engravings on the top brass plate (Kelland 2021).

 
The Winston Sectric Mantel Clock has been owned by a single family from the date of original acquisition in 1961 to the present day (Figure 1). The timepiece was a gift presented to Mr D.P. Kelland on the occasion of his wedding to Miss C.F. McSweeny on 16^th July 1961, by the Council 157 Knights of St Columba (Figures 2 and 3). The Knights of St Columba are a Catholic fraternal organisation, in which Mr Kelland held the position of Grand Knight, one of the most prestigious roles in the office of lay council. Council 157 is no longer operation, making the clock a significant piece of tangible evidence for a specific religious community council no longer in existence (Kelland 2021b). 

Figure 3: The  wedding of Mr D.P. Kelland and Miss C.F. McSweeny on 16th July 1961 at St Boniface, Whitechapel, London (Kelland 2021b). 

The clock was manufactured by Smiths Clocks, an English horologist established in 1851. The company received four royal warrants and was the largest clock producer in the Britain by the 1930s (British Museum 2021). The exceptional craftsmanship (Figure 4) associated with Smiths and the fact that the company ceased trading domestic clocks in 1979 makes this clock a technically significant object. This is reflected in the desirability of such timepieces at online auctions. Additionally, the object is crafted from Bakelite, itself a collector’s item, making it aesthetically important as an example of a popular style of home furnishing from the time of its creation (Kelland 2021b ; Figure 1).

Figure 4:  A rear-view of the clock with the QEMG cover removed, exposing the new battery-operated Junghans Quartz W738, which replaced the original floating-balance movement
(Kelland 2021a).

The timepiece’s use has changed over the last year from being limited to timekeeping, to being the focus of research for a master’s degree module. The object has significant social value to the family as a reminder of the departed original owners. The overall stable condition of the clock will hopefully enable the transition of the clock to the next generation, stimulating conversation regarding family heritage amongst future generations. 

References 

British Museum, 2021. Smiths. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG184632, (Viewed 17th January 2021).

Kelland, M., 2021a.Object Assessment Project:  Report 1. ARCL0113, University College London Unpublished essay submitted as part of the required coursework for the award of MA in Principles of Conservation.

Kelland, M., 2021b. Object Assessment Project:  Report 2. ARCL0113, University College London Unpublished essay submitted as part of the required coursework for the award of MA in Principles of Conservation.