M C Taylor Clocks

Description

A very attractive table clock with silvered dial and mounts, in an ebonised, break-arch case, retailed by excellent London Goldsmiths.

The extremely crisp, 8 day duration, 5 pillar double fusee movement with attached verge escapement and rack striking the hours on a high quality well-toned, top-mounted bell. Also having a well executed, fully engraved backplate, back cock and apron and fixing brackets. Teardrop pendulum bob, strike or silent facility and pendulum transit hook.

Behind a 6 3/4" wide, silvered brass break-arch dial. The circled chapter having outer, Arabic 5's, divided minute ring and inner, Roman hour numerals. The centre bearing the retailer's signature of "Kentish & Haynes, LONDON" (with ornate scroll work) to the upper half and the lower half having a subsidiary calendar date dial with divided ring and Arabic numerals. The arch has a circled "STRIKE (or) SILENT" selector dial and the 4 blackened steel hands are in matching pairs.

Contained in an ebonised break-arch case with all the cast brass furniture being silvered. The top bears a 'bow' swinging carrying handle and the full-size, glazed and locking front door has quadrant framing to the glass and piping rods to the side edges. The short moulded plinth has 4 splayed Ogee feet. The case sides have arched glazed apertures and the back has a glazed and locking break-arch door.

Originally, these clocks could be carefully carried from room to room still ticking as to not lose any time because of their very robust 'Verge' escapement with attached pendulum or more importantly, to the bed chamber at night whereas the silent option would be selected so the sleeper would not be awoken at each and every hour. If the time was required then the repeat cord would be tugged and the previous hour struck would be sounded.

Kentish & Haynes were Jewellers and Goldsmiths working from No.18, Cornhill, Corner of Pope's Head Alley, opposite Royal Exchange, London. From C.1758 until 1793.