A GEORGE II MAHOGANY BRACKET CLOCK

BY THOMAS JOHNSON

Details

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY BRACKET CLOCK
By Thomas Johnson
The case with rectangular projecting top and domed hood surmounted by a swivel carrying-handle, the front angles with brass flaming urn finials above a brass bound door with circular glazed panel, the sides with rectangular glazed panels, the reverse with a square glazed door, the movement signed 'Thos Johnson London', on a stepped plinth and brass bracket feet, with rectangular moulded wall bracket with moulded cabriole support, the case with gilt-brass handle and flambeau finials to the bell top, glazed sides and on brass bracket foot, the circular silvered dial signed 'Thomas Johnson London' with Roman and Arabic chapters and pierced blued steel hands, the five pillar twin gut fusee movement with verge escapement and strike on a bell, the similarly signed backplate profusely engraved with scrolling foliage
The clock 16 in. (41.5 cm.) high; 11 in. (28.5 cm.) wide; 5 in. (14.5 cm.) deep
The bracket 8 in. (22 cm.) high; 12 in. (32.5 cm.) high; 7 in. (19 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

It is generally thought that the earliest examples of similar design to the present clock case originated from the workshops of the great clockmaker John Ellicott (1706-1772). Up until about 1750 bracket clock dials were either rectangular or break-arch, Ellicott broke with tradition and produced a large number along the present design with a solid square door set with a brass bezel around a circular dial. Many similar high quality examples soon began to appear giving rise to speculation that nearly all of them were made by Ellicott and retailed by other clockmakers.

The present clock has an unusually well preserved movement with a highly individual method of regulating the pendulum via a small calibrated nut on its shaft.

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