What is the history of the bracket clock?

Bracket clocks originated in the 17th century in Britain, designed as portable mechanical timepieces featuring handles for carrying between rooms in large houses.

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M. C. Taylor

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Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

Name: Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA959864
Price: 6750 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

18th century

Sold by M. C. Taylor

Sold 17 February 2026 · M. C. Taylor

This “Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised” found a buyer.

It was listed by M. C. Taylor. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

A very good and attractive example of a true bracket clock in an ebonised case.

The eight day duration, five pillar, double fusee movement with Verge escapement and rack striking the hours on a top-mounted bell. Also having strike or silent selection and pull striking repeat. The movement back plate is fully engraved in the floral Rococo style and features a basket of fruit to the centre. The fixing brackets, back cock, silent return spring and pendulum holdfast bracket are also engraved as is the centre of the substantial pendulum bob.

Behind a 7" diameter, bowed enamel dial with fine outer Arabic 5's, minute track, Roman hour numerals and inner ring. The centre bearing the maker's signature of "WILL(ia)M BULL STRATFORD" above centre and "ESSEX" below. The well-cut blued steel hands are Serpentine style. The dial is projected and rimmed with a brass sleeve and above it is a brass plate with the Strike/Non-strike selector only being exposed when the full-opening door is open.

The ebonised case has a break-arch top with triple pads framed with brass. The centre pad bears a cast brass, swinging carrying handle. The double returned top moulding and lower short plinth top moulding encompass the full-opening front locking door that has brass reeded sides and a cast brass Sheraton bezel with ground in bowed glass. The lower corners bear brass fish scale frets. The case sides have rectangular cast brass fish scale sound frets that are cloth backed and the rear of the case also has a full-size break-arch locking door that is glazed. The clock sits upon a substantial and matching wall bracket with a convex moulded pedestal and is brass trimmed.

*William Bull is recorded as working from 1770 until 1804. This is a very good clock in many respects not least because of its quality but also appearance.

Dimensions: Clock: 14" high x 10 1/4" wide x 6 3/4" deep.

Bracket: 8 1/2" high x 11 1/4" wide x 7" deep.

Condition: The movement is working but would greatly benefit from a complete overhaul. The enamel dial is practically perfect and the case and bracket are restored. Both locks are working.

Price: The price is for the clock in it's present and working condition. A price and timescale for any work required by the purchaser can be advised upon enquiry.

For further information please contact us at

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk

Physical Dimensions

Height

35.6cm (14.02")

Width

26cm (10.24")

Depth

17.1cm (6.73")

Declaration

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA959864

Dealers Internal Reference

SA14446

Description

A very good and attractive example of a true bracket clock in an ebonised case.

“

The eight day duration, five pillar, double fusee movement with Verge escapement and rack striking the hours on a top-mounted bell.

M. C. Taylor

Also having strike or silent selection and pull striking repeat. The movement back plate is fully engraved in the floral Rococo style and features a basket of fruit to the centre. The fixing brackets, back cock, silent return spring and pendulum holdfast bracket are also engraved as is the centre of the substantial pendulum bob.

fig 1. An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. — fig 1. Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

Behind a 7" diameter, bowed enamel dial with fine outer Arabic 5's, minute track, Roman hour numerals and inner ring. The centre bearing the maker's signature of "WILL(ia)M BULL STRATFORD" above centre and "ESSEX" below. The well-cut blued steel hands are Serpentine style. The dial is projected and rimmed with a brass sleeve and above it is a brass plate with the Strike/Non-strike selector only being exposed when the full-opening door is open.

fig 2. An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. — fig 2. Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

The ebonised case has a break-arch top with triple pads framed with brass. The centre pad bears a cast brass, swinging carrying handle. The double returned top moulding and lower short plinth top moulding encompass the full-opening front locking door that has brass reeded sides and a cast brass Sheraton bezel with ground in bowed glass. The lower corners bear brass fish scale frets. The case sides have rectangular cast brass fish scale sound frets that are cloth backed and the rear of the case also has a full-size break-arch locking door that is glazed. The clock sits upon a substantial and matching wall bracket with a convex moulded pedestal and is brass trimmed.

fig 3. An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. — fig 3. Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

William Bull is recorded as working from 1770 until 1804. This is a very good clock in many respects not least because of its quality but also appearance.

Dimensions: Clock: 14" high x 10 1/4" wide x 6 3/4" deep.

fig 4. An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. — fig 4. Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

Bracket: 8 1/2" high x 11 1/4" wide x 7" deep.

Condition: The movement is working but would greatly benefit from a complete overhaul. The enamel dial is practically perfect and the case and bracket are restored. Both locks are working.

fig 5. An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. — fig 5. Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

Price: The price is for the clock in it's present and working condition. A price and timescale for any work required by the purchaser can be advised upon enquiry.

For further information please contact us at

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk

Physical Dimensions

Height

35.6cm (14.02")

Width

26cm (10.24")

Depth

17.1cm (6.73")

Date of Manufacture

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA959864

Dealers Internal Ref

SA14446

About the Dealer

M. C. Taylor

Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2021

Clockmakers and restorers established 1987

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M. C. Taylor Profile Page

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An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket.

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Archive I

Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

Archive II

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View II

Archive III

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View III

Archive IV

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View IV

Archive V

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View V

Archive VI

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View VI

Archive VII

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View VII

Archive VIII

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View VIII

Archive IX

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View IX

Archive X

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View X

Archive XI

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View XI

Archive XII

An ebonised bracket clock with a white enamel dial, brass bezel, and matching wall bracket. View XII

Traditional construction typically involved a wooden carcase, often ebonised or veneered in exotic hardwoods, combined with brass movements, enamel or brass dials, and gilt mounts.

Authenticity is assessed by examining the hand-engraved backplate, the type of escapement such as verge or anchor, the quality of the timber, and original components within the movement.

It can be placed prominently on a mantelpiece, console table, or dedicated wall bracket, serving as a striking focal point that contrasts cleanly with contemporary minimalist decor.

Keep the clock away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations, wind it carefully according to its specific mechanism, and have it professionally serviced every few years.

M. C. Taylor

Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

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M. C. Taylor

Enamel Dial Verge Escapement Bracket Clock on Bracket Ebonised

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Bracket Clock Verge Movement Strikes on Two Bells

Giant Bracket Clock by Widenham of London

A Wall Mounted and Ebonised 'True' Bracket Clock with Its Bracket and an Unusual Escapement by John Seddon of London. circa 1745.

A Good and Slightly Smaller, Quarter Repeating, Verge Escapement Bracket Clock by Andrew Marchant of London. circa 1745.

Ebonised Striking Bracket Clock - William Withers - London

Georgian Inverted Bell-top, Verge Escapement, Ebonised Bracket Clock by Isaac Hurley, London. Circa 1750.

A Single Fusee Library Timepiece by Phillips Brothers

Massive Triple Fusee Musical Mantel Bracket Clock 8 Bells & Westminster Chime

Ebonised Striking Bracket Clock – John Fletcher – London

John Taylor, London, Verge Bracket Clock, in Ebonised Bell-top Case. circa 1780.

Georgian Twin Fusee Balloon Bracket Clock by William Smith London - Retailed by Percy Webster

An 18th Century Bell Top Bracket Clock by James Evans

M. C. Taylor

Email M. C. Taylor

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

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Cataloguer’s note

FAQs

What is the history of the bracket clock?

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