Thomas Bell London. Circa 1725, red lacquer/ gilt chinoiserie.
A top quality red lacquer/ gilt chinoiserie longcase clock by Thomas Bell, London, dating to around 1725. Provenance: The Grange, Wendover.
The clock is in full working order having been comprehensively cleaned and overhauled.
This is a truly stunning example of an early Georgian red lacquer clock, very elegant case with excellent proportions and substantial movement with early features by a noted maker. Lacquer clocks became popular during the early 1700s and continued through most of the 18th century. Arch dials became the fashion from around 1720, this is an early example of that style.
Thomas Bell is recorded as working from around 1691. The style of both dial and movement shows features normally associated with the very early 1700s. The dial has ringed winders, half-hour and ‘half-quarter’ markers. The movement has 5 finned pillars, dome colletts and inside countwheel strike. The case has long trunk door with lenticle.
The overall condition is very good. Antique lacquer cases often deteriorate over 100s of years as the old pigments fade or darken, as a result most have had some degree of renovation. I would estimate that this one had a major case refurbishment 50 to 80 years ago, the colours are still bright but beginning to fade gracefully now.
The clock is complete with brass-cased weights, brass faced pendulum, winder and trunk door key (working lock).
Overall height including centre finial is just under 100 inches, not a small clock but a very impressive feature if you have the ceiling height.