A FINE GEORGE III WOODEN-DIALLED FUSEE WALL DIAL TIMEPIECE T...

Estimate

£1,000 - £1,500

A FINE GEORGE III WOODEN-DIALLED FUSEE WALL DIAL TIMEPIECE THOMPSON, WOODBRIDGE, CIRCA 1800The four pillar single fusee movement with tapered plates and anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum, the 12 inch circular convex cream painted wooden Roman numeral dial signed THOMPSON, WOODBRIDGE to centre and with blued steel spade hands, set behind heavy hinged cast brass cavetto moulded convex-glazed bezel, within complex narrow ogee-moulded wooden surround fitted via pegs onto rear box case with door to the right hand side and pendulum access flap to the curved base; the rear of the case inscribed in ink Lord Cambridge, Bergh Apton.36cm (14.25ins) diameter, 19cm (7.5ins) deep.Provenance:The inscription to the rear of the case suggests that the present timepiece was once the property of Lord Canterbury and was probably housed in a property at Bergh Apton, Norfolk. This would seem to most likely fit the profile of Charles Manners-Sutton who was consecrated as Bishop of Norwich before serving as Lord Archbishop of Canterbury from 1805 until his death in 1828.A Philip Thompson is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in Woodbridge, Suffolk in around 1815.

More Information

Movement appears all-original with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements and is in relatively clean working condition. The dial retains original old surface with overall horizontal crazing/cracking and some light flaking, as well as general build-up of grime providing a pleasing patina. The hands are undamaged and appear to have been re-blued. The bezel is in good original condition although the clasp has been adapted from a lock accessed via a key from the front to one with simple mechanism operated from key to the side of the wooden surround. The wooden surround is in good original condition but has shrunk a little causing the brass bezel not to fully close within the channel cur for it; there is a small chip to the moulding adjacent to the hinge and a small loss next to the keyhole to the left-hand side. The box case is intact and in sound original condition however the right-hand side has cracks to the panel issuing from the leading edge of the door. The door itself is lacking veneer overlap to the leading edge. The front lower right-hand joint has been re-glued hence shows visible cracking. The curved base has veneer losses and repairs to rear edge and a patch repair to the right-hand side; the flap has been re-veneered and there is general overall cracking to the curved surface. Faults to the case are otherwise limited to minor are related bumps, scuffs and other blemishes.Timepiece has a pendulum, a bezel key but no winder.