A GEORGE III MAHOGANY EIGHT-DAY LONGCASE CLOCK WITH MOONPHASE James Sandiford, Manchester, circa 1780 The four pillar inside countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the 13 inch brass break-arch dial with subsidiary seconds dial and calendar aperture to the centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track, with scroll pierced blued steel hands and rococo scroll cast spandrels to angles beneath arch with rolling moonphase calibrated for age of the moon to the circumference of the disc beneath silvered plate signed JAMES SANDIFORD to upper margin, the case in the manner of Gillows with box upstand fronted by cavetto moulded swan neck pediment, gilt scroll decorated red glass over diamond lozenge lattice-pierced panel inserts, and break-arch frieze above the hinged glazed dial aperture with bolection mouldings to frame and flanked by fluted Corinthian columns, the sides with Roman Doric half-columns planted at the rear, the trunk with ogee-outline throat and blind fretwork frieze over shaped-top door veneered in book-matched flame figured mahogany within complex moulded border flanked by fluted quarter-columns, the plinth base with stepped ogee top mouldings over conforming veneers to front flanked by canted angles on squat skirt with ogee bracket feet. 240cm (94.5ins) high excluding finials, 58.5ins (23ins) wide, 28cm (11ins) deep. Provenance: The Selwyn Demmy Collection. James Sandiford is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in Salford, Manchester 1772-81. The case of the current lot exhibits details often seen on examples known to have been made by Gillows of Lancaster most notably the bolection moulding to the hood door frame and the ogee outline throat mouldings. Condition Report: The movement is in relatively clean working condition with no evidence of alteration or significant replacements. The dial is in good clean condition with only very slight tarnishing/discolouration to the silvered finishes in places; the lunar disc has probably been repainted and has some slight lifting/bubbling to the painted finish. The lunettes have also been repainted and there is a bruise to the inner edge of the chapter ring beneath the VIII numeral; the hour hand is an incorrectly sized replacement. The movement and dial sit on what appears to be the original seatboard onto uprights (cheeks) within the case which are free from visible alteration/adjustment hence in our opinion the movement and dial are most likely original to the case. The case is generally in good original condition. The superstructure of the hood appears to survive in its original form. The finial blocks are replacements and the infill to the front of the pediment is glass painted with gilt scrollwork and diamond lattice frets - these areas of infill were is most likely originally verre-eglomise hence the current glass panel and lattice frets are probably replacements. The lock for the trunk door is detached (but present and undamaged), there is a vertical shrinkage crack to the front of the plinth base and the left hand side of the trunk is a little sun-faded otherwise case is generally free form significant visible faults with damage limited to minor bumps, scuffs, shrinkage and other minor age related blemishes. Clock has pendulum and two weights but no case key or winder. Condition Report Disclaimer