A formal mahogany cased tall clock made by Thomas Hunter. London, England. 216086.

Clocks of this high quality are becoming increasingly difficult to find today. Special crotch mahogany veneers are featured in the base panel and the waist door. The deep, rich mahogany case is nicely proportioned. With an applied panel, the base stands on a well-shaped double-stepped bracket molding and pad feet. The waist is long, having a full-length, modified tombstone-shaped door. The bonnet is a double breakarch form. The bonnet door is arched, glazed, and brass stop-fluted bonnet columns are positioned on each side.

This style of dial predates the painted dial. It comprises a brass base sheet decorated with applied brass spandrels and chapter rings. The chapter ring, name boss, and calendar dial are finished in a silver wash for contrast. At the top of the arch is the engraved signature and working location. Below it is a Silent / Strike actuator. One can choose to have the clock strike the hours or not strike the hours—your choice by turning the hand. The large chapter ring is also applied to the dial sheet. This ring displays the hours in a Roman numeral format. The five-minute markers are indicated in each hour position with Arabic-style numerals. The center of this section is nicely matted. This was most likely done to aid in locating the hands while reading the dial. A brass dial will tarnish, making reading somewhat challenging in a room lit by candles. This dial also features the subsidiary seconds dial engraved and silvered. The calendar day is located in the aperture below the center arbor. The steel hands are nicely made.

The movement is constructed in brass, having nicely finished cast brass plates. These are supported by smoothly turned brass posts. The gearing is brass, and the pinions are steel. The movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days. This clock strikes the hour on a bell. The strike train is located between the plates and is actuated by a rack and snail design. The winding barrels grooved. A seat-board supports the movement.

This clock was made circa 1770 and stands 7 feet 6 inches tall.

Inventory number 216086.