A FINE REGENCY MAHOGANY FUSEE DIAL WALL TIMEPIECE WITH WOODE...

Estimate

£1,200 - £1,800

A FINE REGENCY MAHOGANY FUSEE DIAL WALL TIMEPIECE WITH WOODEN DIALGEORGE YONGE, WITH A MOVEMENT SUPPLIED BY THWAITES AND REED, LONDON, CIRCA 1816The five pillar single fusee movement with tapered plates measuring 7.75 high by 4.75 inches wide at the base and anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum, the frontplate and stamped T & R over serial number 5774, the 12 inch circular integral cream painted Roman numeral wooden dial inscribed GEO'E YONGE, Strand, LONDON to centre and 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 a door to the right hand side and with pendulum access flap to the curved underside, the rear of the dial panel inscribed with notes for inscribing the dial for George Yonge dated 1816.36cm (14.25ins) diameter, 18cm (7ins) deep.George Yonge is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as a 'fine maker' working in London 1776-1815. Online sources indicate that he worked from 131 Strand, took his son into partnership in 1820 and worked up until 1832.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 and Reed 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 1817.

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Movement is in fine, clean working condition and is free from visible alteration. The escapewheel and pallets may be later 19th century 'service' replacements replicating the original except for having securing screws to the collets. The dial is in fine condition with old surface exhibiting light crazing following the direction of the wood grain beneath; the black numerals/text may have been carefully strengthened. The hands appear original and are in fine condition. The bezel is in fine condition with working lock; the wooden dial panel/surround is in fine original condition with faults limited to a few minor age-related bumps and bruises. The box case is generally in good clean condition with visible faults limited to some slight chipping/wear to the vertical rear edge to the left-hand side and other fairly minor bumps, scuffs shrinkage and wear commensurate with age and use. The rail forming the rear edge of the curved flap within the appears to have been renewed and the veneer replaced with well-matched timber over the repair. Timepiece is complete with pendulum, wider and case key.