A FINE REGENCY MAHOGANY HOUR-STRIKING FUSEE DIAL WALL CLOCK ...

Estimate

£3,000 - £4,000

A FINE REGENCY MAHOGANY HOUR-STRIKING FUSEE DIAL WALL CLOCK WITH WOODEN DIALTHE MOVEMENT BY JOHN THWAITES, LONDON, CIRCA 1814The five pillar twin fusee bell striking movement with ogee-shouldered plates and anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum and stamped I. THWAITES over serial number 5214 to frontplate, the 14 inch circular integral cream painted Roman numeral wooden dial with pierced brass hands set behind set a hinged convex glazed cast brass cavetto moulded bezel applied within slender caddy moulded wooden surround, the rear with box case secured by pegs incorporating opposing scroll fretwork pierced doors to side and pendulum access flap to the curved underside.43cm (17ins) diameter, 20cm (8ins) deep.Ainsworth Thwaites was apprenticed in 1735 and worked from Rosoman Row, Clerkenwell, London 1751-80. He was an accomplished maker who supplied the clock for the tower at the Horse Guards Parade. His son, John, was born in 1757 and took over the business presumably on the death of Ainsworth in 1780 before moving to Bowling Green Lane. He entered into partnership with Jeremiah Reed in 1808 and he firm subsequently became well known for supplying all forms of clocks and movements either wholesale for others to retail or signed by themselves. The partnership continued under John Thwaite's leadership from several addresses in London until his death in 1842. The business has subsequently passed through a series of successors and is still trading today from Rottingdean near Brighton. Ronald E. Rose in his book English DIAL CLOCKS provides data allowing clocks by Thwaites to be dated from their serial number (Appendix III page 239); from this list the serial number of the movement of the current lot suggests that it was made around 1814.

More Information

Movement is in fine relatively clean working condition and free from any visible alteration or noticeable replacements. The dial retains original cream surface with overall light crazing to the finish; there are four noticeable small patches of re-touching to the centre as well as slightly overpainted shrinkage crack through the VII numeral; otherwise surface is very sound with other faults very much limited t a couple of historic dents/bruises. The minute hand has been repaired. The wooden dial panel/surround is in good original condition with faults limited to a filled crack to the edge near the VII numeral (continuation of the same crack previously mentioned) and a historic chip/loss to top the rear edge of the panel behind the moulding, (not visible during normal use/when hung). The bezel is in very good original condition with working lock. The box case is in very good original condition however the left-hand side door (in its entirety) and the fret inserts to both doors are probably replacement. The left-hand side has a small hole - probably from a screw hook for hanging the winder and the back panel has a slight, stable shrinkage crack form top to bottom. The curved base has some slight historic shrinkage visible through the veneers as well as some light wear/edge chipping; the flap appears original including the lock and hinge. Faults are otherwise limited to age related bumps, scuffs and other minor blemishes; the box securing pegs are later.Clock has pendulum, winder and a case key.