Edward Shepley Manchester. Circa 1790. Oak/ mahogany, painted dial.
A good and very original George III 8-day longcase clock by Edward Shepley Manchester dating to around 1790s, oak and mahogany case with verre-eglomise panels.
Fully working/ serviced, keys and winder present.
Edward Shepley was one of the top makers working in Manchester towards the end of the 18th century. He is famous for very grand longcase clocks, often of 3 or 4 train format with musical or multi-hand features. This is one of his more modest creations but still made to a very high standard.
The dial is beautifully hand-painted with so-called ‘strawberry corners’, possibly by Wilson although no falseplate or name stamp, also having a centre painting of a couple and rural scene. The dial was in reasonable condition when I first had the clock but has now been professionally cleaned to reveal the vibrant colours which made these clocks so popular when they were first made. A shame that so many now have faded or are masked with old. yellowed, lacquer or have the numbers amateurishly touched in. This is what they should look like!
The hands are original blued steel, 'serpentine' minute hand and more ornate hour hour hand as was the fashion of the time. The seconds hand is also nicely shaped, more ornate than usual.
The case is of oak and mahogany, very solidly constructed, with attractive figuring to both front and sides. Proportions are good with 'long' trunk door having nicely shaped top. The fashion at the time, particularly for more up-market Manchester clocks, was for cases to be made wider to balance the larger dials. This is apparent here but not to the extent of later Victorian clocks. I am always careful about confirming whether cases are original because it has been common practice for many years that dealers swap them around, however everything about this case seems right to me. Above the dial is a “verre-eglomise” (painted glass) panel which was often a feature on up-market clocks of the time. The gilt painting looks original to me, quite unusual as it often gets rubbed away over the years.
The movement is of typical 2-train,8-day format striking the hours on a bell. In good clean condition and recently serviced.
The clock has obviously been well cared for and is in very good condition for the age.
Complete with brass-faced pendulum, weights, winder and trunk door key (working lock).
Overall height is 92 inches including centre finial.