A GEORGE II BRASS MOUNTED EBONISED QUARTER-CHIMING TABLE/BRA...

Estimate

£3,000 - £5,000

A GEORGE II BRASS MOUNTED EBONISED QUARTER-CHIMING TABLE/BRACKET CLOCK WITH TRIP REPEATJOHN ELLIOTT, EXETER, MID 18th CENTURYThe substantial five (formerly six) pillar movement with plates measuring 8.25 by 7 inches, sounding the quarters on a graduated nest of eight bells and striking the hour on a further larger bell, now with anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum incorporating pivoted rise/fall regulation arm to suspension, the backplate engraved with a basket of fruit within symmetrical foliate vine scrollwork centred by a large gadroon-bordered shaped cartouche signed John Elliott, Plymouth, the 8 inch brass break-arch dial with shaped false bob aperture to the matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes beyond the minute ring, with scroll-pierced steel hands and applied female mask and scroll cast spandrels to angles with the upper interrupted by subsidiary Strike/Silent selection and regulation adjustment dials, the arch further date of the month dial flanked by strapwork scroll cast mounts, the ebonised case with five brass disc-and-spire finials to the inverted bell-top superstructure incorporating brass mouldings at the junction between each section, over brass-edged double cavetto top mouldings and opening front inset with brass fillet mouldings to the glazed dial aperture and scroll pierced and engraved upper quadrant frets flanked by brass bound rounded angles, the sides with hinged cast brass handles over concave-topped rectangular scroll pierced and engraved sound frets centred with a basket of flowers over a stylised lions mask within brass fillet surround, the rear with conforming rectangular break-arch glazed door set within the frame of the case, on two-tier cavetto moulded skirt base edged in brass over generous cast ogee bracket feet.57.5cm (22.75ins) high, 35cm (13.75ins) wide, 23cm (9ins) deep.Very little of John Elliott of Plymouth is known with only his marriage, in November 1732, being recorded. As was the tradition for clockmakers to marry after completing their apprenticeship this would suggest that he was born in around 1710. The engraving to the backplate of the present clock broadly conforms to designs illustrated in Dzik, Sunny ENGRAVING ON ENGLISH TABLE CLOCKS - Art on a Canvas of Brass 1660-1800 pages 301-03 (Figures 17.8-17.10) which would date the present lot to around 1740-50.

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Movement is complete and in good original condition with the only noticeable replacements being the escapement and the going train third wheel. The going train will run however both the strike and quarter trains are presently not functioning. Both of these trains appear intact, unaltered and will wind; they will just about operate with manual assistance but will not trip/run when hands are advanced. As the movement is somewhat dry/dusty a gentle clean/service and some adjustment will be required before it can be put to use. The movement is generally well made/finished and generally exhibits minimal wear or rebushing etc.; there is no trip-repeat line fitted at present. The dial is generally dull/discoloured with mellowing to the castings and patchy oxidation to the silvering. The centre has two smallish plugged holes within the matting (near the IIII and VIII numerals) almost certainly left over from fixing an arched silvered signature plate which is no longer present. As with the movement the dial is of good quality and well finished. The case is generally in good original condition. The caddy superstructure has some slight veneer shrinkage only, as does the front door which opens to reveal only a couple of small losses/repairs and cracking to the veneer overlap of the mask bordering the dial. Both sides have some shrinkage cracking with the most notable being to the rail beneath the fret aperture to the left-hand side; otherwise are in good original condition although the frets are somewhat tarnished/discoloured. The rear door, surround and skirt base are all in good original condition with only slight wear and other age-related blemishes evident.Generally a well made clock in very sound original condition (except for the escapement) which has a pendulum, case key and a winder.