Unusually large at 18in (45cm) across, it was also in original ‘barn found’ condition – the painted wooden dial and brass bezel and hands free from the sort of overzealous retouching and cleaning that characterises many dial clocks of this period.
It probably dates from c.1820 with a firm such as Thwaites and Reed of Clerkenwell among the candidates for its manufacture.
Untouched appeal
The buyer was East Sussex dealer Bill Bruce of WF Bruce, who told ATG he was unlikely to do much in the way of restoration.
“It is of a quality and in an untouched condition that collectors are always searching for. Increasingly, we are finding things for otherwise busy customers that they will then buy ‘as is’ or specify the degree of careful conservation they would like.
“This way they know exactly what they have bought – and with this example they will be well rewarded.”
The sale took place on May 25.
