John Bryan. A formal mahogany London longcase clock with an unusual automated dial. CCC-42.
This is a formal mahogany-cased tall clock made by John Bryan of London. Brian Loomes lists three generations of Bryan clockmakers working in London in his book Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World.The first John had a shop on Addlesgate in 1727 and was a member of the Clockmakers Company in 1773. Loomes lists John II as working in Shadwell from 1773 to 1804. John III was at work in 1781. This clock was most likely made by John II, given the dial's style.
This mahogany case features a traditional London form that reached its height of popularity in the 1770s. The selected mahogany exhibits excellent grain and a deep color. The base stands on four pad feet mounted below the applied molding. The base panel is decorated with an applied molding that forms a rectangular-shaped box. Some viewers might assume that this is an applied panel. It is not. Just the molding is applied. The waist is long, having a full-length tombstone-shaped access door. The grain pattern selected for this Hollywood location is exceptional. The interior space is occupied by the three drive weights and brass-faced pendulum bob. The hood, or bonnet, is in the form of a pagoda or bell top. Its center is fitted with a cast-brass decoration. The rococo casting pattern is pierced and backed in red silk. A single finial plinth supports a brass ball finial. A shapely, solid fret pattern helps to secure the plinth to the top of the pagoda. The molded arch is nicely formed. Free-standing hood columns visually support it. The front two are mounted in brass capitals and bases. The back quarter columns are shaped and neatly fitted into the case's back corners—the sides of the hood feature large rectangular-shaped side lights. The bonnet door is also arched and fitted with glass. This door opens to access the dial.
This dial is composed of a brass base sheet decorated with applied brass rococo spandrels and a chapter ring. The chapter ring and the dial's center field are finished in a silver wash for contrast. Included in the center section are a subsidiary seconds dial, a day-of-the-month calendar, and three ring-turned access holes for the winding arbor. This area is also embellished with decorative engravings and the Clockmaker's name and working location. The applied time ring displays Arabic numerals for the five-minute markers at each hour position. A closed minute ring separates them from the Roman-style hours. Between each hour are engraved fleur-de-lis. In the dial's lunette are two jacquemarts or quarter jacks. These two automated male figures appear to strike one of two bells mounted above them on the hour and quarter hours. Their arms and the hammers are automated, driven by the strike train. The painted scene behind them is of a castle.
The three-train movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The works are constructed in brass and are of the highest quality. Four turned pillars support the two large and heavy brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The three winding drums are grooved to accept the weight-bearing cables. This clock strikes each hour on a cast-iron bell mounted atop the movement. It also strikes each quarter hour in a progressive sequence. Two blows, a ding-dong, for the first quarter, four blows at the half hour, six blows at the three-quarter hour, and finally eight blows on the hour, and then the hour is struck on a deeper-sounding bell separately.
This clock was made circa 1875 and stands 94.5 inches tall. The case is 19inches wide and 10 inches deep.
Inventory number CCC-42.
