William Pearce, Plymouth, England. A mahogany case tall clock with automated dial featuring a rocking ship. 223011.
A fine mahogany case tall clock made by William Pearce in Plymouth, England. It features an automated dial in the form of a rocking ship.
This wonderful mahogany case tall clock exhibits excellent narrow proportions and first-rate wood selections throughout its design and construction. This is evident in the exhibition of wonderful long sweeping grain patterns found throughout this case design.
This beautiful clock case stands on applied bracket feet. The base section features shaped corners and is fitted with an applied panel. The high-quality panel exhibits a rich grain pattern. The waist of the case is long and narrow, centering a waist door that is nicely shaped at the top. This door provides access to the interior of the case. The two lead-formed drive weights and pendulum occupy this space. The front corners of the waist are shaped with a molded edge. The swan’s neck pediment bonnet features brass rosettes applied to the nicely shaped arches. This visually center a finial plinth that supports a single brass finial. Blind frets are inserted in the tympanum of the hood. These are backed in red silk. The bonnet door is arched and fitted with glass. Fully turned and fluted bonnet columns ending in brass capitals are positioned on either side of the door.
This composite brass dial is wonderfully detailed. It measures 12 inches across and is composed of a brass sheet decorated with applied brass decorations and skillfully executed engravings. It also features a very desirable automated rocking ship display in the arch. The fully rigged painted ship is depicted sailing around a peninsula. This ship moves or gently rocks from side to side with the pendulum’s motion. The painted scene is quite interesting. It includes a large tower fortification built high on a rocky point on the left. The open sea is ahead on the right. Above this scene, the Clockmaker signs the dial. The signature reads “WILLIAM - PEARCE – PLYMOUTH.” The four cast brass spandrels positioned around the time ring depict a woman’s head, florals, and c-scrolls. They frame the time ring, which is applied to the dial sheet. This is formatted with Arabic-style five-minute makers. The closed minute ring separates them from the large Roman-style hour numerals. Inside the time ring are the subsidiary seconds and calendar displays. All of the time, presentations are finished in a silver wash. This area is also engraved with a hunting scene. Four dogs are on the chase. A rabbit is out in front. Steel hands that are traditionally shaped display the time.
The two-train movement is brass, eight-day duration, and is of good quality. Four-turned pillars or posts support the two large brass rectangular-shaped solid plates. They support the hardened steel shafts, the polished steel pinions, and the brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved to accept the weight cord in an orderly fashion. The escapement is designed in a recoil format. This clock will strike each hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
This clock stands approximately 91 inches or 7 feet 3 inches tall to the top of the center finial. This clock is 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep when measured at the upper hood molding.
Two William Pearces are recorded in Brian Loomes' “Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World." The Father was trained by Henry Raworth of Plymouth (Devon) in 1750 and worked from 1761-98. His son is also listed in Plymouth. Plymouth is a port city in the southwest of England. It is 193 miles from London. It has a long maritime history.
Inventory number 223011.
