A George I/II ebonized twin fusee repeat chiming table clock...

Hammer

£2,600

A George I/II ebonized twin fusee repeat chiming table clock, The inverted bell top case with a well-cast swing handle and sound frets to the door and sides. The square dial with applied mask spandrels, silvered chapter ring and a punch matted centre with faux pendulum and calendar aperture, the bottom of the chapter ring bearing the maker's name. The five pillar movement with verge escapement and florid engraved backplate and hook-shaped "holdfast", chiming on one large and three smaller bells. The clock is supported by compressed bun feet and accompanied by a later ebonized wall bracket. 28 cm wide x 18 cm deep x 46 cm

A John Austin of Shoreditch is recorded in Brian Loomes Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, pp 29 as reported in 1745 for a lost watch however it is likely that his business predates the date of the report mentioned by some years.

The movement seems to be fully wound and runs freely for a few minutes and then the pendulum gives an erratic judder then slowly stops, I have been unable to get the clock to chime at the hours and seems unaffected by the Strike / Night lever, however on a pull of the repeat cord it will strike. It is possible that the bearers that support the seat board in the case have been replaced and perhaps the actual seat board as some of the edges of the timber look a little fresh