Beschreibung:

A rare George II brass mounted ebonised table clock with 'silent' pull quarter repeat on six bells Joseph Smith, Bristol, circa 1750 The five pillar single fusee movement with verge escapement, rise/fall regulation via a snail-shaped cam mounted to the rear of the dial and silent pull quarter repeat on a graduated nest of six bells, the symmetrical foliate scroll and strapwork engraved backplate with central basket-of-flowers motif over signature Joseph Smith, BRISTOL within scroll cartouche towards lower margin, the 7 inch brass break-arch dial with false bob and calendar apertures and burnished curved signature cartouche engraved Joseph Smith, BRISTOL to the matted centre within applied Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track and rococo scroll cast spandrels to angles beneath arch centred with a subsidiary regulation dial flanked by conforming mounts, in an inverted bell top case with brass fillet inset mouldings to both the dial aperture and upper quadrant frets to front flanked by caddy moulded angles and conforming brass-edged circular above concave-topped glazed side apertures, the rear with door matching the front set within the frame of the case, on shallow moulded skirt base with cast brass squab feet, 47cm (18.5ins) high excluding handle. Joseph Smith is recorded in Moore, A.J. THE CLOCKMAKERS OF BRISTOL 1650-1900 as working from several addresses in Bristol 1725-1775. He is generally considered a fine and diverse maker with known examples ranging from eight-day longcase clocks with tidal dials to watches with champleve dials. Other table clocks by him include a very rare miniature example in a walnut case (private collection), a fine brass mounted quarter chiming clock (illustrated in Barder, R.C. Georgian Bracket Clocks page 112) and a mahogany cased striking clock which was sold in these rooms Wednesday 17th February 2010 (lot 41) for £4,500 hammer. IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS Movements, dials and cases: movements and dials are described as relating to the cases in which they are housed in one of the following three ways: the case.... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial started life in the current case. in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are in a case of correct period and type (and may well be original to the movement and dial), however there is evidence to suggest that they may not have started out life together. now in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are no longer in the original case or one of correct period and/or type. Pendulums, weights, winding and case keys: unless specifically indicated otherwise in the catalogue description it can be assumed that all clocks with cases are sold with the requisite pendulum and correct number of weights (where appropriate), however we cannot guarantee that they are original to the clock. We do not indicate in the catalogue description whether winding or case keys are present with any specific clock. As many clocks are consigned without keys please check with the department to establish whether they are present or not prior to bidding. Condition: due to the mechanical nature of clocks and the fact that most are of great age we cannot offer any guarantee as to whether they are in working order or free from major faults or restoration. Although we endeavour to catalogue items in a fair and informed manner, omission of any comments or observations regarding the condition or originality of a clock in the description does not necessarily indicate that it is free from significant faults, restoration or is in working condition. We would strongly advise any prospective purchaser to view the item in person or request a condition report and/or further images prior to bidding. Measurements: dial measurements are given in inches, other dimensions such as height are given in centimetres and inches. The measurement given for the height of a longcase clock excludes any rem