M C Taylor Clocks

Description

This is an attractive, good and very original example of a small Tavern clock by Thomas Field of Bath. Circa 1790.
The 8 day duration, weight driven, 4 pillar, 4 wheel train timepiece movement with tapered plates the front being stamped with ''WL 4921 DM''. Also having Anchor Recoil escapement and mounted upon a seat board within the trunk. The pendulum has a flat brass rod and a large lenticular, brass-faced bob. The cast iron weight has a chisel bottom for case clearance.

Behind a one-piece, 14'' diameter wooden dial that is integral to the well-executed, 17 1/4'' diameter moulded bezel seating and surround that carries a cast brass, Thomas Sheraton style, locking bezel with flat glass. The dial has retained its original white base paint and has black outer Arabic 5's, divided minute track with triangular hour markings and inner Roman hour numerals. The upper portion bears the maker's name of ''FIELD'' and the lower portion has the place name ''BATH'' all in Roman style capitals. The matching brass hands have heart-shaped ends and the minute hand has a circular-ended counterpoising tail.

The figured mahogany trunk has upper access doors to both sides and a concave top locking door to the front below a plain front that is flanked with scroll-shaped ears. The trunk bottom has a returned moulding to 3 sides and is over the chamfered bottom.

Thomas Field was a member of the Clockmaker's Company and worked from 1773 until his death in 1812. He left London to work in Bath in 1776.

This is a superb example and not only aesthetically handsome but in fine condition and extremely original. There is an almost identical clock to this by the same maker but with a repainted dial in the 'Servants Hall' at No. 1, Royal Crescent in Bath which is open to the public.

Please note: It is getting more difficult to find original clocks and I stress the importance of it a clock that has been changed, altered or 'married up' (dial, movement or case swapped with another clock) can never be truly original again and therefore, like all of our stock, this fact must matter a great deal.