David Wolfenden Antiques has dated this George III Mahogany Longcase Clock to the 1750s.
The spectacular mahogany case has a long trunk door and is flanked by reeded and brass inlaid quarter pillars. The base has raised shaped panel and typical double shaped plinth. Both the trunk door and base panel have superb flame veneers of the highest quality. The hood with separate brass capped and brass inlaid angle pillars below a pagoda top with a shaped sound fret and surmounted with three brass finials .
Dial
12 inch break arch brass dial with silvered subsidiary strike/silent dial to the arch flanked by pierced foliate spandrels. Finely matted centre with calendar aperture ring and large subsidiary seconds dial, shaped cartouche signed Thomas Mudge London. Silvered chapter ring with Roman and Arabic numerals. Blued steel hands.
Movement
Substantial eight day movement with thick plates, five baluster pillars, anchor escapement and large backcock for the iron-rod pendulum with T-bar suspension and heavy lenticular brass-faced bob. Striking the hours on bell.
Height 98ins x 19.5ins x 9ins deep.
(249cm x 50cm x 23cm) approx.
Thomas Mudge (1715-1794) was born in Exeter in 1715 and was apprenticed to the celebrated clock and watch maker George Graham. In 1738, Thomas Mudge became a Freeman Clockmakers' Company. In 1750, just before his former master's death, Mudge opened his business at the 'Dial and One Crown' in Fleet Street. William Dutton joined him, another of Graham's apprentices, into partnership in circa 1765.
In the eighteenth-century Thomas Mudge ranks highly as one of the most accomplished clock and watch makers. The firm of Mudge and Dutton made clocks and watches of high quality, undoubtedly it is Mudge's individual pieces which have placed him in horological history. Of particular note are his perpetual calendar watch and the equation watches made for John Ellicott to sell to the Spanish Royal court. Probably his most celebrated is the marine timekeeper of 1754 with the first detached lever escapement.
Thomas Mudge was one of the greatest clock and watchmakers of his day, he invented the lever escapement - the greatest single improvement ever applied to watches and used in nearly all modern wristwatches.
David Wolfenden Antiques has dated this George III Mahogany Longcase Clock to the 1750s.
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An Important George III Mahogany Longcase London Clock. Thomas Mudge, London Circa 1765
