M C Taylor Clocks

Description

A simple but extremely attractive table clock of diminutive size by a good maker.

The eight day duration, double gut fusee movement now with Anchor Recoil escapement. Rack striking the hours on a top mounted bell and made with the facility to pull repeat (now removed).

Behind only a 5" wide, silvered brass, break-arch dial that is engraved and wax-filled. The chapter ring has outer, Arabic 5's, divided minute track and inner, Roman hour numerals. The arch bears the maker's signature "Perigal" (of) "Coventry Street, LONDON" in fine script. The matching 'spade' hands are of blued steel.

In a small, flame mahogany veneered case of superb colour, patination and originality. The break-arch top has a cast brass, swinging, carrying handle and the sides have rectangular brass, silk-backed, 'fishscale' sound frets. Both full-size glazed doors have their original and working locks, the front door has quadrant brass framing around the glass. The case is largely plain in appearance but has excellent top and lower mouldings. The short plinth sits upon four small, cast brass, Ogee shaped feet.

John Perigal of Coventry Street was a member of the famous Perigal clockmaking family. He was apprenticed in 1770 and a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1781 until 1800.

The appearance of this clock is stunning. Apart from the 'improvement' of conversion to Anchor Recoil escapement from Verge, it is absolutely original. It is very unusual to see such a small and attractive 8 day duration clock of this era.