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William Barker of Wigan. An extraordinary mahogany tall case clock featuring multiple dial complications. HH-132.

William Baker of Wigan made this outstanding mahogany-cased tall clock that features multiple complications displayed on the dial. William Baker was a well-respected clockmaker and was admitted as a Freeman of Wigan in 1751. He was a very competent Maker, having made lantern clocks, bracket clocks, table clocks, and longcase clocks of an unusually large size. This clock measures an impressive 8 feet 7 inches tall and features a complicated brass movement.

A list of complications that are included in the design of this complex mechanism is as follows:

-The works are framed with large rectangular-shaped brass plates. Turned brass pillars or posts support the two large brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed in a recoil format. The movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind.

- The movement is a three-train design. It is quarter striking, striking the hours on a single large bell and the quarters hours on a graduated nest of eight bells. All of the bells are mounted above the movement.

-The brass composite dial form predates the painted dial format. Its' construction begins with a hammered flat brass sheet measuring 14 inches across that supports several decorative elements. There are four cast rocco-style brass corner spandrels. They are secured to the sheet and frame the engraved and silvered time ring. The engraved time ring is also applied to the dial. This display is skillfully engraved. A dotted minute ring separates Arabic-style five-minute positions from the Roman-style hour numerals. The minute and hour hands are steel and well-formed. The interior section of the dial is decoratively engraved with floral themes and banners. Engraved in the Banners, it reads, "THAT MAN is who duely weighs / yet unborn an HOUR." 

-There are three dials which include A sunrise/sunset dial, a moon/tide dial, and a year calendar hand, four of which reads on several concentric chapter rings. They are as follows:
 
- The innermost ring on the main chapter dial is the old-style Julian Calendar with the corresponding signs of the Zodiac. This is read with the long thin calendar hand.

- The main dial tells the hours and minutes in the usual way with an hour and minute hands.

- The penultimate dial is the Gregorian or New Style Calendar. This is a year calendar and is also read with the long, thin calendar hand and shows, as well as the date, the important events (at the time of manufacture) of the year in England. Of principal interest are the beheading of Charles I, the restoration of Charles II, and the Papist Plot (Guy Fawkes Day).

- The outer dial is an Easter Calculator used to find the movable feast days of the church. This dial rotates and is set once a year. It can be read with the long, thin calendar hand or read against the New Style Calendar.

-There was a small plaque with the Dominical Letter (now missing) below the 600 positions.

-There is a standard seconds dial within the main chapter ring. 

*The horseshoe-shaped dial at the top contains:

- A sunrise/sunset dial with an image of the sun. This revolves around once in 24 hours. The time of sunrise and sunset is read with the outside pointer of the two double pointers attached to shutters which move with the time of the year to simulate the actual rise and set of the sun (in the latitude of England). The inner end of the pointer shows the actual time of daylight or darkness and the amplitude and altitude of the sun for that day of the year.

- The moon is depicted in the form of a three-dimensional globe (half white and half black) and is read with a pointer on the top scale.

- The lower scale on the moon in Roamn-style numerals tells the time of high tide. Since the pointer is missing, the location of the high tide is unknown. This is a fixed pointer and is easily put into place.

- Below the moon is an equation dial (linear) for setting the clock to a sundial. This is how the Equation of Time is calculated. Presently, this clock runs and functions well and is complete except the following:

- The moon/age high tide pointer.

- The equation hand (Mechanism is complete and functioning- only hand is missing.)

- The plaque at the bottom of the dial for the Dominical letter( used for setting the Easter calculator dial).

- A lever and spring to set off the strike by pulling on a string.

- A strike/silent lever and its detent spring. (We intend to correct these issues before the clock is delivered.)


We contend that this clock was recased 100+ years ago. In my research, it appears that many of these "Masterpieces" indeed were recased. Apparently, as styles changed, the wealthy owners wanted to keep up with the latest trends in styles. This attractive mahogany case is in excellent condition and has no restorations. 

In my reading, only four of these complicated clocks have been found to date that were made by this Maker. This example is one of two with all complications and with three trains. 

Inventory number HH-132.

 

  • William Barker of Wigan. An extraordinary mahogany tall case clock featuring multiple dial complications. HH-132. Delaney Antique Clocks.
  • William Barker of Wigan Tall clock featuring multiple dial complications. HH-132. Delaney Antique Clocks.
  • William Barker of Wigan. Clock featuring multiple dial complications. HH-132. Delaney Antique Clocks.