A fine Victorian mahogany longcase regulator Thwaites and Reed, London, No. 16399 late 19th century The substantial five double-screwed baluster pillar movement with thick plates measuring 10 by 6.75 inches enclosing four-wheel train with high pinion counts and six spoke crossings to the finely cut wheels, with Harrison's maintaining power and deadbeat escapement incorporating jewelled pallets regulated by steel-rod mercury jar pendulum suspended from a brass bracket secured to the case backboard and with graduated rating nut at the base with silvered beat scale beneath, the 12 inch circular silvered brass dial with subsidiary seconds over Roman numeral hour dials and signed THWAITES & REED, LONDON 16399 to centre within outer Arabic minute track and canted silvered bezel, the movement and dial supported on a substantial seatboard within the arched mahogany case with curved inspection hatch to the apex of the top and double locks to the full width bevel-glazed door enclosing fine foliate scroll carved and pierced apron beneath the dial and to the lower margin, on plinth base inset with a flame figured rectangular panel over moulded skirt and squab feet, 185cm (73ins) high. Provenance: The property of a private collector, Hertfordshire; purchased at Bonhams, New Bond Street, sale of Fine Clocks 15th December 2009 (lot 72) for £7,200. The partnership between John Thwaites and George Jeremiah Reed is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as being formed in 1808. John Thwaites was the son of Ainsworth Thwaites who was apprenticed in 1735 and worked from Rosoman Row, Clerkenwell, London 1751-80. He was an accomplished maker who supplied the clock for the tower at the Horse Guards Parade. John Thwaites was born in 1757 and took over the business presumably on the death of his father in 1780 before moving to Bowling Green Lane. The firm became well known for supplying all forms of clocks and movements either wholesale for others to retail, or signed by themselves. The partnership continued under John Thwaite's leadership from several addresses in London until his death in 1842. The business has subsequently passed through a series of successors and is still trading today from Rottingdean near Brighton.