M. C. Taylor has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Also having strike/silent, a repeat-at-will striking pull cord and a profusely engraved backplate that is filled with fronded floral designs around a lower central floral basket. The back cock and well-executed 'tent sheet' apron are also engraved.
Behind a 7" wide, brass break-arch dial with cast brass corner and arch Rococo design spandrels, silvered chapter centres that are also engraved conforming to the movement backplate. The arch has a silvered "STRIKE/SILENT" chapter ring with a fancy blued steel setting hand and the main dial area has a silvered and boldly engraved chapter ring with outer Arabic 5's numerals, minute track and inner Roman hour numerals. The centre has a shaped and chamfered false bob aperture with a dark backplate and silvered engraved bob and is surrounded with further floral engraving with a plain area for the maker's signature that reads "George Borrett" (of) "STOW MARKET". The blued steel hands are typical 'Serpentine" style.
Contained in a very cleanly styled ebonised, fruitwood veneered oak case. The break-arch top has a cast brass swinging carrying handle and is all-around return moulded. The full-size locking front door has cast brass quadrant framing the glazing and the case sides have large rectangular glazed apertures. The rear locking door is also glazed and of full-size. The short plinth has a moulded top and the case sits upon four, cast brass Ogee feet. The pull repeat cord exits from the lower right side.
Originally, these clocks could be carefully carried from room to room - still ticking as to not lose any time because of their very robust 'Verge' escapement with attached pendulum or more importantly, to the bed chamber at night whereas the silent option would be selected so the sleeper would not be awoken at each and every hour but if the approximate hour was required then the user would simply tug on the repeat cord, this would make the clock strike the number of hours passed.
George Borrett the first, worked in Stowmarket 'next door to the Black Swan' from 1755 until 1780. His son, George Borrett the second also worked in Stowmarket, dying in 1773.
The case and dial are excellent and the movement is complete but neglected. The striking is fine but the movement requires an overhaul and does not run consistently. The left hand movement-to-case fixing bracket is a replacement probably due to breakage. Both locks work and apart from the bracket, the whole clock is original.
The movement requires an overhaul but this will be an extra cost and because of our ever-growing workload would have to be placed on our waiting list. The restored value of this item is approximately £8,000. Further information can be supplied upon request.
The price is for the clock in its present condition.
For further information please contact info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk
M. C. Taylor has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Clockmakers and restorers established 1987
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M. C. Taylor Profile Page
A Georgian, Verge Escapement Bracket Clock in an Ebonised Case by George Borrett, Stowmarket. Circa 1775.
