M. C. Taylor has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Also having curved tops to the plates, the rear of which has border engraving which follows on over the back cock, fixing brackets, and pendulum locking block. The pendulum rod is shaped and there is strike/silent and pull repeating (now removed).
Behind an 8” bowed, painted dial with its original paint. The cream background has an outer minute track with diamond 1/4’s, short Roman hour numerals and the signature “DORRELL” above the centre and “Clerkenwell LONDON” below. The blued steel matching hands are a variant of the ‘open diamond’ style. The ‘Sheraton’ style cast brass bezel has a snapped-in bow glass and is fitted to the full, opening door.
The break-arch mahogany case is very well figured and has cross grain mouldings. The top has a single pad top with a cast brass swinging handle. The top all-round moulding is returned and the locking front
door is full-size with an ivory diamond escutcheon. The side edges are piped with brass rod and the lower quadrants have apertures with shaped, pierced and chased sound frets that are backed with red cloth. The case sides have arched-top, cast brass, fishscale sound frets also backed with red cloth. The rear has a full-size locking door with an arched, glazed aperture. The all-round, short plinth has a large top moulding
and the case sits upon four cast brass Ogee feet.
This example is charming in so much that it appears never to have been restored - it is in true ‘sleepy’ condition, rarely found. Apart from the replaced cloth to the frets, it is totally original, including its locks and shaped winding key. I can't stress enough how rare it is to find a clock of this age that has practically never been touched but in working condition. It was considered to be so original that it was in fact retailed by Percy Webster and bears his plate inside the back door. A major plus to this clock is that it will only ever had done to it what the purchaser requires.
WILLIAM DORRELL was the grandson of the famed Francis Dorrell who died prior to 1755. He was apprenticed in 1768 and was a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1784 until 1810. He worked from St. Martin-in-the-fields and Bridgewater Square.
This clock is in amazingly original condition. The movement would benefit greatly from an overhaul but is working correctly and keeping time. The dial surface is worn with missing base paint around the edge and back door edge. The brass is tarnished in areas. Both locks are working correctly.
The price is for the clock in its present and working condition. Any work required by the purchaser such as an overhaul or case and dial work can be discussed with us upon enquiry.
For further information please contact us at 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
Break-arch Mahogany Table Bracket Clock with a Full Opening Door by William Dorrell, Clerkenwell, London. Circa 1795.
