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Black Dial English Tavern or Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens of Cirencester. circa 1775.
Sold by M. C. Taylor
sold SA969482
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
M. C. Taylor

M. C. Taylor

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2021
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Black Dial English Tavern or Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens of Cirencester. circa 1775.

18th century
Sold 2 December 2025 · M. C. Taylor
This “Black Dial English Tavern or Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens of Cirencester. circa 1775. ” 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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Antique Tavern ClockBlack Dial ClockBlack Wall Clock Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

A good and original example that is new to the market.

The 4 pillar weight driven movement with a 5 wheel train, tapered plates and Anchor Recoil escapement.

Having a 25 1/4" diameter three-plank dial with a concave moulded surround with gilt lining to the edges. The dial has small, outer Arabic 5's, divided minute track with unusually triangled hour points, large inner Roman hour numerals and matching and shaped brass hands the minute of which being counterpoised.

The slender trunk has ornate 'ears' below the dial and a inward-curved door top. The area above this carries the two-line maker's name of "Will(ia)m Stevens (of) CIRENCESTER" in the typical format. The door has raised chinoiserie decoration depicting a tree and birds over homes and 2 human figures in the oriental style. The door is flanked and bottomed with bordered ornate scrolling to the case front and the sides have floral decoration. The case bottom is of a large Cavetto design that is also decorated and bordered with the trunk by a large moulding to all 3 sides.

* This is a fine example of an English Tavern clock of the period and ticks a lot of boxes. I purchased it privately and it had belonged to the same family for generations. An almost identical example by the same maker is featured in the excellent book 'English Dial Clocks' by Ronald E. Rose. William Stevens was a clockmaker of Gloucester and Cirencester and was a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1775 until 1812.

Dimensions: 29 1/4" wide x 58" high x 7 3/4" deep.

Condition: Totally original except for the hands and weight. Fully overhauled by us and working perfectly. The dial boards show their joins because of age shrinkage but are sound, as is the rest of the case, with no major damage or loss of paint and the backboard even retains its cloth backing for protection.

Price: The price is for the clock in its present and guaranteed condition.

For futher information please contact us at

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk

Physical Dimensions
Height
147.3cm (57.99")
Width
74.3cm (29.25")
Depth
19.7cm (7.76")
Declaration

M. C. Taylor has dated this Georgian English Tavern Clock to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA969482
Dealers Internal Reference
SA14452
Description
A good and original example that is new to the market.
“
The 4 pillar weight driven movement with a 5 wheel train, tapered plates and Anchor Recoil escapement.
M. C. Taylor

Having a 25 1/4" diameter three-plank dial with a concave moulded surround with gilt lining to the edges. The dial has small, outer Arabic 5's, divided minute track with unusually triangled hour points, large inner Roman hour numerals and matching and shaped brass hands the minute of which being counterpoised.

fig 1. An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration.
fig 1. Black Dial English Tavern or Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens of Cirencester. circa 1775.

The slender trunk has ornate 'ears' below the dial and a inward-curved door top. The area above this carries the two-line maker's name of "Will(ia)m Stevens (of) CIRENCESTER" in the typical format. The door has raised chinoiserie decoration depicting a tree and birds over homes and 2 human figures in the oriental style. The door is flanked and bottomed with bordered ornate scrolling to the case front and the sides have floral decoration. The case bottom is of a large Cavetto design that is also decorated and bordered with the trunk by a large moulding to all 3 sides.

fig 2. An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration.
fig 2. Black Dial English Tavern or Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens of Cirencester. circa 1775.

This is a fine example of an English Tavern clock of the period and ticks a lot of boxes. I purchased it privately and it had belonged to the same family for generations. An almost identical example by the same maker is featured in the excellent book 'English Dial Clocks' by Ronald E. Rose. William Stevens was a clockmaker of Gloucester and Cirencester and was a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1775 until 1812.

fig 3. An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration.
fig 3. Black Dial English Tavern or Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens of Cirencester. circa 1775.

Dimensions: 29 1/4" wide x 58" high x 7 3/4" deep.

Condition: Totally original except for the hands and weight. Fully overhauled by us and working perfectly. The dial boards show their joins because of age shrinkage but are sound, as is the rest of the case, with no major damage or loss of paint and the backboard even retains its cloth backing for protection.

Price: The price is for the clock in its present and guaranteed condition.

For futher information please contact us at

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk

Height
147.3cm (57.99")
Width
74.3cm (29.25")
Depth
19.7cm (7.76")
Date of Manufacture

M. C. Taylor has dated this Georgian English Tavern Clock to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA969482
Dealers Internal Ref
SA14452
M. C. Taylor
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 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Black Dial English Tavern or Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens of Cirencester. circa 1775.

Archive II An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View II
Archive III An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View IX
Archive X An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View X
Archive XI An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View XI
Archive XII An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
M. C. Taylor

M. C. Taylor
Telephone 01202 429718
Location
995 Christchurch Road
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH7 6BB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bournemouthclocks
Verified Since Oct 2021
Items For Sale 63
Items Sold 148
M. C. Taylor
M. C. Taylor
Verified Since Oct 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: 995 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6BB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bournemouthclocks
Verified
Oct 2021
For Sale
63
Sold
148
An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration.
BLACK DIAL ENGLISH TAVERN OR ACT OF PARLIAMENT WALL CLOCK BY WILLIAM STEVENS OF CIRENCESTER. CIRCA 1775.
Ref: SA969482
An 18th-century English tavern clock featuring a large circular black dial with gold Roman numerals and serpentine hands, mounted above a tapering trunk with hand-painted chinoiserie decoration.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Clocks
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialWood, Brass
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsRoman numerals, Chinoiserie painted door, Gilded accents, Serpentine hands
  • SizeH 147.3 cm (58 in) x W 74.3 cm (29 in) x D 19.7 cm (8 in)

FAQs

An Act of Parliament clock is a large dial timepiece dating from the late 18th century onwards, traditionally associated with public spaces and coaching inns following a tax levied on clocks in 1797, though many examples predate this tax.

These clocks typically feature a timber case, often pine or oak, finished with black paint and gilding or japanning, housing a mechanical brass movement with a weight-driven pendulum.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit hand-painted wooden or metal dials, original brass movements with anchor escapements, period signature inscriptions on the trunk or dial, and age-related wear to the painted finishes.

Due to its substantial scale and commanding presence, a tavern clock functions well as a singular focal point on a plain, neutral wall in a hallway, study, or living room.

Keep the clock away from direct sunlight, sources of moisture, and dramatic temperature fluctuations, and have the movement professionally serviced by a horologist every few years.
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