What is a bell top bracket clock?

A bell top bracket clock is an 18th-century spring-driven portable clock characterised by a wooden case featuring a curved, bell-shaped upper roof section, typically surmounted by a metal carrying handle.

What materials were used in Georgian bracket clocks?

Georgian bracket clocks were crafted using solid native timber and veneers such as walnut, mahogany, or ebonised wood, alongside cast brass finials, brass spandrels, and silvered brass dials.

How do you identify an authentic 18th-century bracket clock?

Authentic period bracket clocks display period-correct movement mechanisms such as fusees or tic-tac escapements, hand-engraved maker signatures on the dial or backplate, cast brass mounts, and natural surface patination.

How do you style a Georgian bracket clock in modern interiors?

A Georgian bracket clock functions as a focal centerpiece when displayed atop a fireplace mantelpiece, dark wood sideboard, or dedicated study bookcase in modern or traditional interiors.

How should an antique walnut clock case and movement be preserved?

Preserve the wooden case by maintaining stable humidity, avoiding direct sunlight, and dusting with a microfibre cloth, while ensuring the mechanical movement is inspected and lubricated regularly by a professional horologist.

for sale €12,285 $13,335

£10,500

M. C. Taylor

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2021

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Clockmakers and restorers established 1987

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Bell Top, Walnut Table Bracket Clock by John Taylor of London Tic Tac Escapement Circa 1780

Name: Bell Top, Walnut Table Bracket Clock by John Taylor of London Tic Tac Escapement Circa 1780
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA847082
Price: 10500 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by M. C. Taylor

Description

This is a handsome clock in beautiful 'Country House' condition.

The eight day duration, 5 knopped pillar, double gut fusee movement now with ‘Tic-tac’ escapement spanning three and a half teeth, rack striking the hours on a top-mounted bell and also having strike/silent select, centre sweeping calendar date and the backplate, return leaf spring, fixing brackets and backcock are all nicely engraved.

Behind a 7” wide, break-arch brass dial with gilt Rococo style corner and arch spandrels. The arch also bears a narrow silvered strike/silent select ring and has a finely matted centre and tailed steel hand. The silvered chapter ring has small, outer, Arabic fives, a minute track, small Roman hour numerals and inner, Arabic calendar date numerals indicated with a brass arrowhead centre-sweep hand. The finely matted centre has an upper axe-head aperture with chamfered edges displaying the silvered makers plate of “John Taylor, London” in exceptionally fine and beautiful script. The blackened steel hands are of Serpentine style.

The walnut veneered oak case is of good colour and patina and has never been restored. The figured bell top has a brass, swinging carrying handle and the upper corners have cast brass pineapple finials. The upper returned moulding sits over the full-size glazed and locking front door that has cast brass sound frets to the upper quadrants. The case sides have tall, arched top brass, fishscale sound frets that are backed with gold cloth. The lower moulding is above a short, plain plinth which sits upon four, cast brass Ogee feet.

These repeating clocks with a strike/silent feature were sometimes taken to the bedchamber at night and placed in silent mode using the selector hand. The clock would not then strike the hours and awaken the owner. It is for this reason that they were originally fitted with the more robust 'Verge' escapement and even though there is a 'holdfast' in which to place the pendulum during transit, it was rarely used as time would be lost so, the clock was grabbed by the handles and carried up to bed - still ticking! Once seen, these clocks really fire the imagination as to their history and usage, they were extremely expensive when made and could only be afforded by the wealthy.

The high quality of this clock suggests that it was made by the John Taylor of Gloucester Street, London who was known as a maker of Bracket clocks and is highly regarded.

The appearance of this clock is of untouched but treasured condition. The movement has been previously fully restored by us and carries our full 18 months guarantee. It is completely original with the exception of the escapement conversion from Verge to Tic-tac for the reasons of improving the timekeeping therefore, I decided to leave this as it is part of the clock's personal history. It really is splendid to look at.

This is well-priced for a good example of an original clock that is becoming ever rarer.

The purchased clock can be collected at a time mutually agreed, or alternative, delivery can be arranged for which we are happy to provided a quotation.

For further information, please email us at:

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk

Physical Dimensions

Height

45.7cm (17.99")

Width

27.9cm (10.98")

Depth

20.3cm (7.99")

Declaration

M. C. Taylor has dated this Walnut Table Bracket Clock to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA847082

Dealers Internal Reference

14375

Description

This is a handsome clock in beautiful 'Country House' condition.

The eight day duration, 5 knopped pillar, double gut fusee movement now with ‘Tic-tac’ escapement spanning three and a half teeth, rack striking the hours on a top-mounted bell and also having strike/silent select, centre sweeping calendar date and the backplate, return leaf spring, fixing brackets and backcock are all nicely engraved.

Behind a 7” wide, break-arch brass dial with gilt Rococo style corner and arch spandrels.

“

The arch also bears a narrow silvered strike/silent select ring and has a finely matted centre and tailed steel hand.

M. C. Taylor

The silvered chapter ring has small, outer, Arabic fives, a minute track, small Roman hour numerals and inner, Arabic calendar date numerals indicated with a brass arrowhead centre-sweep hand. The finely matted centre has an upper axe-head aperture with chamfered edges displaying the silvered makers plate of “John Taylor, London” in exceptionally fine and beautiful script. The blackened steel hands are of Serpentine style.

fig 1. An 18th-century Georgian walnut bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, brass corner spandrels, and an engraved silvered chapter ring. — fig 1. Bell Top, Walnut Table Bracket Clock by John Taylor of London Tic Tac Escapement Circa 1780

The walnut veneered oak case is of good colour and patina and has never been restored. The figured bell top has a brass, swinging carrying handle and the upper corners have cast brass pineapple finials. The upper returned moulding sits over the full-size glazed and locking front door that has cast brass sound frets to the upper quadrants. The case sides have tall, arched top brass, fishscale sound frets that are backed with gold cloth. The lower moulding is above a short, plain plinth which sits upon four, cast brass Ogee feet.

fig 2. An 18th-century Georgian walnut bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, brass corner spandrels, and an engraved silvered chapter ring. — fig 2. Bell Top, Walnut Table Bracket Clock by John Taylor of London Tic Tac Escapement Circa 1780

These repeating clocks with a strike/silent feature were sometimes taken to the bedchamber at night and placed in silent mode using the selector hand. The clock would not then strike the hours and awaken the owner. It is for this reason that they were originally fitted with the more robust 'Verge' escapement and even though there is a 'holdfast' in which to place the pendulum during transit, it was rarely used as time would be lost so, the clock was grabbed by the handles and carried up to bed - still ticking! Once seen, these clocks really fire the imagination as to their history and usage, they were extremely expensive when made and could only be afforded by the wealthy.

fig 3. An 18th-century Georgian walnut bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, brass corner spandrels, and an engraved silvered chapter ring. — fig 3. Bell Top, Walnut Table Bracket Clock by John Taylor of London Tic Tac Escapement Circa 1780

The high quality of this clock suggests that it was made by the John Taylor of Gloucester Street, London who was known as a maker of Bracket clocks and is highly regarded.

The appearance of this clock is of untouched but treasured condition. The movement has been previously fully restored by us and carries our full 18 months guarantee. It is completely original with the exception of the escapement conversion from Verge to Tic-tac for the reasons of improving the timekeeping therefore, I decided to leave this as it is part of the clock's personal history. It really is splendid to look at.

fig 4. An 18th-century Georgian walnut bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, brass corner spandrels, and an engraved silvered chapter ring. — fig 4. Bell Top, Walnut Table Bracket Clock by John Taylor of London Tic Tac Escapement Circa 1780

This is well-priced for a good example of an original clock that is becoming ever rarer.

The purchased clock can be collected at a time mutually agreed, or alternative, delivery can be arranged for which we are happy to provided a quotation.

For further information, please email us at:

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk