Morgan of Bristol, England. An automated dial featuring a rocking ship. Tall case clock. 214063.

This nicely figured mahogany long-case clock features an automated brass engraved silvered dial. The dial is signed "Morgan, Bristol." In Brian Loomes' Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, numerous Morgans are listed as working in Bristol. Bristol is a city located approximately 100 miles to the west of the capital city London. Bristol has always been one of the largest cities in England's history. 

This inlaid mahogany case features excellent wood selections. It stands up on four applied bracket feet. The base panel exhibits a strong vertical grain pattern and a delicate line inlaid border. This delicate design element is repeated in the rectangular-shaped waist door. One can access the two weights and the pendulum through this waist door. The side of the waist is fitted with canted corners that terminate in a simple lamb's tongue molding. This canted surface is also lined inlaid. The bonnet features a swan's neck pediment form. The finely shaped moldings exhibit excellent height and terminate with turned wooden rosettes. These are applied to the tips of the horns. The perimeter of the bonnet facade is decorated with a line inlay. Fully turned and fluted bonnet columns terminate in brass capitals. The top capitals are a robust Corinthian form.  These flank the bonnet door, which features a scrolled interior border. This door is fitted with glass.

The single-sheet brass dial is skillfully engraved and is finished with a silvered wash. The Maker's name and working location are engraved in the dial's center. It is also signed "Sculp" below the calendar aperture, suggesting that Morgan was the engraver of the dial. The time is displayed traditionally. The Roman-style hour numerals are separated from the Arabic five-minute figures by a dotted minute ring. The subsidiary seconds dial and a calendar date dial are both located within the time track. In the arch, titled "TEMPUS FUGIT," is the display for the automated ship. This ship is constructed from a brass sheet, and the details are engraved into it. It is finished with a silver wash. This ship moves in a side-to-side fashion with the pendulum's motion, all against a painted background. This wonderful feature is highly desirable in today's marketplace. 

The weight-driven movement is constructed in brass and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It strikes each hour on a bell mounted above the movement. Overall, it is of good quality.

This clock stands approximately 7 feet 6 inches tall to the top of the center finial. 

This clock was made circa 1800.

Inventory number 24063.