A RARE GEORGE II PROVINCIAL MAHOGANY TABLE CLOCK Jonathan Smallwood, Lichfield, circa 1735 The five finned pillar twin fusee bell striking movement now with anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum incorporating rise/fall regulation to suspension and with arched apertures to the lower edge of both of the movement plates, the 7 inch brass break-arch dial with finely matted centre within applied Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers, Arabic five minutes to outer track and signed Jn'o Smallwood, Lichfield to lower margin, with pierced steel hands and Indian mask and scroll cast spandrels to angles beneath arch centred with subsidiary rise/fall regulation dial flanked by conforming mounts, the case with hinged brass carrying handle to the inverted bell-top superstructure over cavetto and ogee top mouldings and scroll pierced blind frets to the upper quadrants of the glazed front door, the sides with fillet-edged break-arch windows beneath further glazed infill panels, the rear with plain panel door set within the frame of the case, on shallow cavetto skirt base with squat block feet; with a later wall mahogany wall bracket with single scroll-outline support. The clock 42cm (16.5ins) with handle down, 25cm (10ins) wide, 16.6cm (6.5ins) deep. Jonathan Smallwood is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers of the World as working in Lichfield circa 1730 with a sale of his stock taking place in 1741. A walnut table timepiece by him is illustrated in Cescinsky, Herbert and Webster, Malcolm R. ENGLISH DOMESTIC CLOCKS on page 289 (figure 317). Condition Report: As catalogued the movement has been converted from verge escapement to anchor escapement however as this has not involved any cutting-out to the plates or case (except for a small 'scoop' to the lower rail beneath the rear door) restoring the clock back to its original form should be straightforward and would leave little evidence. Movement otherwise is in good original condition with the strike train appearing entirely original. Although the mechanism is in relatively clean working condition a precautionary clean/service is advised before putting into long term use. The dial has a series of unused holes in the plate behind the chapter ring at XII, III, VI and IX. These holes appear to be 'cast' apertures that have not been finished/reamed to take any fitting hence are not in any way considered evidence of alteration to the dial. The dial also has practice engraving if a bird to the rear of the plate towards the centre. The chapter ring has lost its silvering but the engraving is still strong and finely executed. The hour hand appears to be a replacement and both hands have been repaired. Dial otherwise is in good original condition but is somewhat dirty/discoloured. The case is generally in good original unrestored condition with significant faults limited to a historic bump to the left hand front corner of the upper mouldings which has resulted in chipping/losses to both the front and side sections of mouldings at that point. The mask around the dial (behind the front door) has a small loss to the veneer overlap to lower right hand side of the arch and the rear door has wear/losses to the slender overlap moulding to the left hand vertical edge. The right hand side has a small filled hole near the front edge (probably from an earlier door clasp which has been removed). All feet are missing their moulded faces and the base board is warped and split due to overtightening of the movement securing bolts. Case has very good untouched patinated finish. Clock has a pendulum and a case key but no winder. The bracket is structurally sound but otherwise is in poor condition having patch repairs to the vertical faces of the table and overall wear/chipping etc. Condition Report Disclaimer