Peirson, Stokesley, an unusual mahogany and oak longcase clo...

Hammer

£130

Peirson, Stokesley, an unusual mahogany and oak longcase clock, the movement striking the hours on a gong and having an unusual layout with large barrel wheels and high-count pinions, with alterations, the twelve-inch round brass dial having a raised silvered chapter ring engraved with black Roman numerals, flame half-hour markings with the outer aspect having Equinox markings, signed either side of VI o'clock T. Peirson, Stokesley, A.D. 1724, the associated oak case with fluted quarter columns to the trunk, decorative inlaid stringing and decoration to the base, the hood with fluted columns and a swan-neck pediment, height 235cm. Biography Thomas Pierson was an interesting character who appears to have had many professions including whitesmith, watchmaker, schoolmaster, apothecary, customs officer and poet, with much written about his life, especially as regards his poetry. He published a number of stories and plays including The Treacherous Son-in-Law in 1786. Prone to wearing a substantial wig, a likeness of him doing so is illustrated in The History and Antiquities of Cleveland by John Walker Ord alongside a poem written by Ord which ended, '…for Pierson's wig, it was so big, it covered both his eyes!'. Pierson died in August 1791 and was buried at Stokesley. Reference David F. Severs Stokesley's Clockmakers Pub. 2008.