A LATE VICTORIAN BRASS MOUNTED EBONISED QUARTER-CHIMING BRACKET CLOCK Thwaites and Reed, London, circa 1880 The substantial six pillar triple chain fusee movement with anchor escapement regulated by heavy lenticular bob pendulum with rise/fall regulation to the sprung suspension, chiming a choice of two options for the quarters on a nest of eight graduated bells and striking the hour on a gong, the 7.5 inch arched brass dial with matted centre incorporating silvered signature plate engraved THWAITES & REED, CLERKENWELL within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes to outer track, the angles with winged cherub mask cast spandrels interrupted by CHIME/SILENT and CHIME ON 8 BELLS/CHIME ON 4 BELLS selection switches to the vertical margins, beneath arch applied with subsidiary FASTER/SLOWER dial flanked by conforming cast mounts, the break-arch top case with flambeau finial to the moulded upstand over foliate cast gilt brass bordered pediment applied with grotesque mask mount to tympanum flanked by further gilt finials, the front with cast spandrel mounts to upper quadrants of the door inset with angled silvered brass fillet flanked by canted angles applied with male caryatids, the sides with rectangular cast brass sound frets decorated with foliate scrolls and arabesques beneath generous carrying handles, on tall cavetto moulded base with leaf-cast mount to front and substantial gilt scroll feet. 75cm (29.5ins) high overall, 46cm (18ins) wide, 30.5cm (12ins) deep. Provenance: The property of a private collector, north London. 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.