A quarter striking mahogany case tall clock with dial signed Francis Gregg at St. James's London. 214097.
This is an impressive and masculine-looking clock. This case exhibits wonderful figured mahogany wood selections throughout its construction. It is very high quality.
The base is elevated up off the floor on a nicely shaped bracket molding. A figured panel is applied to the center of the base section. It is framed with applied molding and features relief or cut-out corners. The waist section is long. It is flanked by brass stop-fluted quarter columns that terminate in brass quarter capitals. The waist door is a modified tombstone form and fills the waist section. This door is also trimmed with applied molding. One can access the brass-covered lead weights and pendulum through this door. The bonnet is a break arch form. It is fitted with three fluted finial plinths and brass ball and spike finials. The double molding design is separated by three fluted columns and decoratively embossed brass panels or sound frets. Additional sound panels are positioned on the sides of the hood. These are also in the form of pierced brass panels. These are backed with silk cloth. These panels serve double duty as doors and are hinged to provide access to the case's interior. Quarter columns are positioned in the back corners of the hood and are mounted in brass quarter capitals. Brass stop-fluted bonnet columns are secured in brass Doric-shaped capitals, and they flank the arched formed bonnet door. This door is fitted with glass and opens to access the dial.
This brass dial features applied chapter rings and spandrels. The cast rococo spandrels are very good quality. The applied rings, which include the time ring, the subsidiary seconds dial, the Chime / Silent selector, the tune selector, and the nameplate, have been treated with a silver wash in order to achieve a contrast with the yellow brass details. The clock is signed on an applied tag above the hour "VI." The Silent / Strike and the tune selectors are located in the arch of the dial. The first allows one to turn off the striking portion of the clock if so desired. The second selector also allows one to choose between the two tunes, "Westminster" or "Chimes on Eight Bells." The center of the dial is matted for contrast.
The substantial three-train, six-pillar movement is constructed in brass. It is an eight-day movement and is of good quality. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed as a recoil format. It is designed to strike each hour on a large wire gong that is mounted to the backboard. The sound is deep and rich. This movement is also designed to strike on each quarter hour in a progressive manner. This is done on a nest of 9 bells by nine hammers.
This clock was made circa 1850. It is approximately 98.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial. At the upper hood molding, it is 21 inches wide and 11 inches deep.
Inventory number 214097.