A well-made Grandmother clock featuring a quarter-striking spring-driven movement. EEE-4.

This is an attractive dwarf clock with a classic Chippendale form and quality cabinetry. The walnut wood selections feature excellent grain patterns enhanced by the shellac finish.

This charming example stands up on four applied ogee bracket feet. The front corners of the base are canted. This design begins at the bottom with a lamb's tongue molding. The lower waist molding is shaped to accept this form change. The waist section is long and narrow, enhancing the cabinet's proportions. Smoothly turned quarter columns flank the sides of the waist. These terminate at each end in turned wooden quarter capitals and bases. A shaped door with a molded edge is centered in the waist section. The door is decorated with a figured veneer. Waist doors provide access to the case's interior. The bonnet is a swan's neck form. The arched, broken pediment terminates in turned wooden rosettes and centers a finial plinth. Mounted above this is a brass eagle finial. Fully turned and fluted bonnet columns or colonnades visually support the bonnet molding. They are free-standing. The molded arched bonnet door is also fitted with glass and opens to access the brass dial.

This style of brass dial predates the painted dial, introduced in 1770. It comprises a brass base sheet decorated with applied spandrels and chapter rings. This clock is signed "John / Thompson  / London" on the name boss in the arch of the dial. The large chapter ring is also applied to the dial. Arabic five-minute markers are indicated at each hour position. These are separated from the Roman-style hour numerals by a closed minute track. The center of this section is nicely decorated with engravings. The steel hands are wonderfully made.

The brass movement is spring-wound and designed to run eight days on a full wind. It is a three-train design, striking the hours and quarter-hours on eight-wire gongs. The sound is quite nice. The sequence is that of Westminster, which was made popular by Big Ben in London. This clock was made circa 1950.

The case exhibits excellent proportions. It is 57.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial.

I estimate this clock was made circa 1950.

Inventory number EEE-4.