SOLD John Smith Chester. Circa 1770. Oak/ mahogany, moon-phases.
An 8-day brass dial moon-phase clock by John Smith, Chester. Dating to around 1770, dial with matted and engraved centre, case of oak and mahogany.
Fully working, movement has been cleaned and serviced.
John Smith was a well-respected maker working in Chester during the second half of the 18th century. He almost invariably seemed to produce very attractive clocks, his dials in particular seem to embody the best features found on longcase clocks from this era.
The dial centre is finely matted in the older tradition and decorated with deeply engraved foliate detail. The seconds calibration consists of a silvered inset panel, the surrounding edges of the dial have a ‘scalloped’ pattern which is a typical John Smith trademark feature.
The arch contains a beautifully executed moon-phase feature consisting of painted moon faces and intermediate starry skies, the calibration for lunar day shown on the edge of the moon disk. The moon faces are finely painted, almost judge-like again typical of John Smith’s work.
The movement is of standard form for the period, 8-day with 2 trains, sounding the hours on a bell.
The case is of oak and mahogany. It has an impressive pediment with foliate patterning and centre finial. The case presents well but does have numerous small knocks and dings commensurate with its age. There are some older repairs inside the base. The foliate patterning to the arch is painted on to some kind of ‘backing’ which shows some distressing. It could be removed, or perhaps re-done, but I think it is a nice part of the clock’s age.
The clock is complete with brass-faced pendulum, lead weights, winder and trunk door key (working lock).
Overall height including finial Is 94inches.