What is a Georgian bell top bracket clock?

Originating in eighteenth-century Britain, bell top bracket clocks are spring-driven portable timepieces characterized by a concave bell-shaped top moulding, often crowned with a brass handle for transport between rooms.

What materials were traditionally used to make Georgian bracket clocks?

These clocks were traditionally constructed using an oak carcase veneered in flame mahogany or walnut, incorporating brass handles, pierced sound frets, glass panels, and mechanical brass movements.

How can you identify an authentic eighteenth-century bracket clock?

Authentic pieces display hand-cut dovetail joinery, original mechanical fusee movements, hand-engraved maker signatures on the dial or backplate, and natural surface patination across the timber cabinet.

How do you style an antique bracket clock in a modern home?

Position the clock centrally on a fireplace mantelpiece, side cabinet, or within a bookshelf library display to serve as an architectural focal point alongside contemporary artwork.

How should an antique mahogany bracket clock be maintained?

Maintain the wooden case by keeping it away from direct heat and sunlight, dusting with a dry microfibre cloth, and having the internal mechanical movement professionally cleaned and lubricated by a horologist every five years.

for sale €4,973 $5,398

£4,250

M. C. Taylor

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Georgian, Bell Top Bracket Clock. By Watson, London. Circa 1790.

Name: Georgian, Bell Top Bracket Clock. By Watson, London. Circa 1790.
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA959888
Price: 4250 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by M. C. Taylor

Description

A lovely example of an unassuming Georgian table clock in a mahogany bell top case, with a painted brass dial.

The substantial, 8 day duration, 5 knopped pillar, double fusee movement now with Anchor Recoil escapement and rack striking the hours on a top-mounted cast bell. Also having pull repeat striking and strike/silent select. The back plate has border engraving with ornamental corners and the centre has an oval cartouche framing a Grecian urn. There is also a transit locking bracket for the substantial pendulum.

Behind a 6 3/4" wide, break-arch painted brass dial. The cream coloured background has a strike/silent chapter to the arch and the lower, main area has a divided minute ring and inner Roman hour numerals. Above the centre is the maker's signature of "E. WATSON (of) KING STREET". The 3 hands are simply shaped blued steel.

Contained in a fairly plain mahogany case of beautiful colour and patination. The bell top has a cast brass, swinging carrying handle. The returned top moulding is over the full-size front door that has cloth-backed wooden sound frets to the top corners and an ivory diamond shaped keyhole escutcheon. The case sides have high break-arch glazed apertures and the rear has a full height locking door with conforming escutcheon and a break-arch glass panel. The all-round short plinth has a moulded top and the case sits upon four short wooden block feet with moulded edges. The pull repeat cord exits the case at the lower right hand side and has an ebony pull button which I turned from an old piano key.

* I find this clock extremely attractive in its simple appearance, totally functional without embellishments. Quality has not been compromised but it was constructed to appease the person with a plainer taste and the colour is exceptional. E. Watson is listed as working from 6, King Street, Cheapside, London. The escapement was originally Verge but like so many other examples, was changed to Anchor Recoil in an attempt for greater accuracy upon the advent of 'Railway Time' during the 1850's. This 'improvement' can be reversed if so desired but is usually considered to be part of the clocks history.

Dimensions: 20 1/2" high including the handle x 10 7/8" wide x 7 1/2" deep at the feet.

Condition: The movement is working perfectly and appears to have been fully overhauled in recent years. There was a minor striking fault which I have corrected however, as always, I would prefer it to be stripped, cleaned and any necessary work required to be carried out. The dial has an historic crack to the top right hand corner around the foot rivet but this is sound and will not worsen however, it would be a simple matter to repair the painted surface. Other than that, the dial is fine but with the usual chips around the winding holes. The case is magnificent! It is original and has been sympathetically repolished keeping the colour and patina, there are historic cracks to the veneers but they merely evidence the originality and age. Both the locks are original and 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

52.1cm (20.51")

Width

27.9cm (10.98")

Depth

19cm (7.48")

Declaration

M. C. Taylor has dated this Georgian Bell Top Bracket Clock to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA959888

Dealers Internal Reference

SA14448

Description

A lovely example of an unassuming Georgian table clock in a mahogany bell top case, with a painted brass dial.

“

The substantial, 8 day duration, 5 knopped pillar, double fusee movement now with Anchor Recoil escapement and rack striking the hours on a top-mounted cast bell.

M. C. Taylor

Also having pull repeat striking and strike/silent select. The back plate has border engraving with ornamental corners and the centre has an oval cartouche framing a Grecian urn. There is also a transit locking bracket for the substantial pendulum.

fig 1. A Georgian flame mahogany bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, cream dial with Roman numerals, and strike-silent selector mechanism. — fig 1. Georgian, Bell Top Bracket Clock. By Watson, London. Circa 1790.

Behind a 6 3/4" wide, break-arch painted brass dial. The cream coloured background has a strike/silent chapter to the arch and the lower, main area has a divided minute ring and inner Roman hour numerals. Above the centre is the maker's signature of "E. WATSON (of) KING STREET". The 3 hands are simply shaped blued steel.

fig 2. A Georgian flame mahogany bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, cream dial with Roman numerals, and strike-silent selector mechanism. — fig 2. Georgian, Bell Top Bracket Clock. By Watson, London. Circa 1790.

Contained in a fairly plain mahogany case of beautiful colour and patination. The bell top has a cast brass, swinging carrying handle. The returned top moulding is over the full-size front door that has cloth-backed wooden sound frets to the top corners and an ivory diamond shaped keyhole escutcheon. The case sides have high break-arch glazed apertures and the rear has a full height locking door with conforming escutcheon and a break-arch glass panel. The all-round short plinth has a moulded top and the case sits upon four short wooden block feet with moulded edges. The pull repeat cord exits the case at the lower right hand side and has an ebony pull button which I turned from an old piano key.

fig 3. A Georgian flame mahogany bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, cream dial with Roman numerals, and strike-silent selector mechanism. — fig 3. Georgian, Bell Top Bracket Clock. By Watson, London. Circa 1790.

I find this clock extremely attractive in its simple appearance, totally functional without embellishments. Quality has not been compromised but it was constructed to appease the person with a plainer taste and the colour is exceptional. E. Watson is listed as working from 6, King Street, Cheapside, London. The escapement was originally Verge but like so many other examples, was changed to Anchor Recoil in an attempt for greater accuracy upon the advent of 'Railway Time' during the 1850's. This 'improvement' can be reversed if so desired but is usually considered to be part of the clocks history.

fig 4. A Georgian flame mahogany bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, cream dial with Roman numerals, and strike-silent selector mechanism. — fig 4. Georgian, Bell Top Bracket Clock. By Watson, London. Circa 1790.

Dimensions: 20 1/2" high including the handle x 10 7/8" wide x 7 1/2" deep at the feet.

Condition: The movement is working perfectly and appears to have been fully overhauled in recent years. There was a minor striking fault which I have corrected however, as always, I would prefer it to be stripped, cleaned and any necessary work required to be carried out. The dial has an historic crack to the top right hand corner around the foot rivet but this is sound and will not worsen however, it would be a simple matter to repair the painted surface. Other than that, the dial is fine but with the usual chips around the winding holes. The case is magnificent! It is original and has been sympathetically repolished keeping the colour and patina, there are historic cracks to the veneers but they merely evidence the originality and age. Both the locks are original and working.

fig 5. A Georgian flame mahogany bell top bracket clock featuring a brass carrying handle, cream dial with Roman numerals, and strike-silent selector mechanism. — fig 5. Georgian, Bell Top Bracket Clock. By Watson, London. Circa 1790.

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