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.
M. C. Taylor has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
The backplate engraved in the floral Rococo style and bearing a stylised bird on a plinth to the centre. The backcock and apron similarly also engraved and the short pendulum having a brass ‘teardrop’ bob.
Behind a 6" wide, break-arch brass dial with gilt brass corner and arch cast Rococo style spandrels and silvered and wax-filled chapters and name plate. The arch bearing a strike/silent chapter with a matted centre and the main chapter ring having small, outer Arabic numerals, divided minute track and inner, short Roman hour numerals. The finely matted centre has an upper ‘axe-head’ aperture with chamfered edges that displays the recessed name plate bearing the makers signature of “Benj(ami)n Ward (of) London” in flowing script. The lower portion has a tapered square aperture showing the calendar date. The 3 well-cut hands are blued steel.
Contained in a red lacquered inverted bell-top case, the top having a cast brass swinging carrying handle and each top corner having a cast brass flambeau finial. The returned top moulding is above the full-size locking front door with wooden fish scale sound frets to the arch quadrants. The sides of the case have tall break-arch sound apertures with cloth-backed metal mesh and the back has a generous locking door with glazed break-arch and also glazed quadrants. The case has an all-round short plinth with moulded top and four block feet. The chinoiserie decoration to the case is subdued and well-executed, mostly parcel gilt with areas of green to the front designs. There are also areas of silver lining.
This clock has been purchased from a private collection and is in extremely good condition. Benjamin Ward worked at Norton Folgate in London from 1765 - 90.
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. If the time was required then the repeat cord would be tugged and the previous hour struck would be sounded.
Dimensions: 19" high including handle up x 10 7/8" wide x 6 7/8" deep.
Condition: The movement appears to have been professionally overhauled and is in good, clean condition, running well and keeping to time. The verge escapement appears totally original and the movement is generally crisp in appearance. There is a redundant hole in the front plate suggesting that the movement may once have had a stike repeat function. There is also a redundant hole in the backplate indicating that the pendulum transit hook has been moved to the right side. The dial is very good and undamaged as are the hands and date work and the strike/silent is operating correctly. The case is in astonishingly good condition and showing its passage through time with little surface damage. The backgrond colour was probably much darker originally and has faded to a lighter shade. It also has pleasing craquelure. Both door locks are working, but the front key escutcheon is missing. The side apertures now have cloth-backed wire mesh.
Price: The price is for the clock in its present and working condition. A price and timescale for any work required by the purchaser can be advised upon enquiry.
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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
Lacquered or Chinoiserie Verge Bracket Clock by Benjamin Ward, London. circa 1775.
