English Verge Escapement, Ebonised Bracket Clock with Phases-of-the-Moon and Alarum Circa 1785.
An exceptional London-made table clock with the added rarity of moon phase and alarum.
Stock No: 14467
The 8 day duration, 5 pillar, double fusee movement with verge escapement and detached ‘tear drop’ bob pendulum with a silk suspension. Rack striking the hours and also sounding one at the half, on a well-pitched, top-mounted bell. Also having under-dial work for operating the moon phase, calendar date and
side-wind alarum work. The backplate, fixing brackets, back cock and alarum cocks are very well engraved with a floral Rococo design around a centre plinth supporting a basket of flowers.
Behind a 6" wide, break-arch brass dial. The corners bearing gilt finished, cast brass Rococo style spandrels. The arch has a semi-circular aperture with 2 semi circle protrusions to the lower edge. The arch top and lower section have Rococo engraving and an indicator point. A phase-of-the-moon disc can be seen in the aperture which has a silvered rim with engraved lunar days and numerals. The inner has a painted dark blue background with random gilt stars and well-executed ‘moons’ of pleasing appearance and colour. The silvered chapter ring has outer Arabic 5’s, a divided minute track and inner Roman hour numerals.
The silvered centre bears restrained Rococo engraving, the makers name “Tho(mas) Langford” below the XII and “London” within a cartouche above the lower chamfered calendar date aperture. The middle also has the alarum setting disc with graduated hours of Arabic numerals that is set to the tail of the hour hand. Both blued steel hands are pierced with open diamond shaped ends.
Contained in an ebonised oak case with a bell-top, surmounted with a cast brass, swinging carrying handle. The top has a returned all-round moulding above the full-size locking front door with framed glazing and upper sound frets to the quadrants that are backed with red cloth. The short, all-round plinth is shaped and under a cavetto moulding. The case rear has a locking and glazed rectangular door and the sides have
circular over concave top, rectangular sound apertures with cast brass fish scale frets backed with red cloth. The ebony turned repeat knob exits the case from below and the ebony alarum pull exits from the rear of the right side.
Thomas Langford of London is recorded as being a member of the Clockmaker’s
Company in 1781.
*It is very rare to see a London made, Georgian table clock with phases-of-the-moon and alarum. This attractive table clock is well designed and in superb condition for its age.
Dimensions: 20" high including handle x 10" wide x 7" deep.
Circa: 1785.
Condition: The movement is in full working and original condition. It is quite dirty as it hasn’t
been cleaned for a number of years. The lower alarum bracket fixing to the left
backplate has been moved but this can only have occurred due to an error at
manufacture. All functions are operating correctly.
The dial and case though showing signs of age are in excellent condition and
could be enhanced with very little work.
Provenance: New to the market and purchased by us from a private collector.
Price: £7,500 in present and working condition. A price and timescale for any
work required by the purchaser can be advised upon enquiry. The retail price
guide for this clock in fully restored condition would be in the region of £12,000.
