Robert Ward, Abchurch Lane, London.

Circa Circa 1790

Sold

22 ½ inches high

A very fine and well-proportioned mahogany striking table clock with pendulum regulation and repeat. Case The brass-lined mahogany-veneered case has five urn finials to the bell top, gilt-brass foliate quarter frets to the front door, glazed sides, moulded base on scrolling brass feet. Dial The unusually well-proportioned dial is signed Robert Ward Abchurch Lane London in the arch flanked by dials for strike/silent and pendulum regulation, the main silvered chapter ring has fine blued steel hands and a matted centre with calendar aperture. Movement The five pillar twin gut fusee movement strikes on a bell on the hour, the going train has a pivoted verge escapement with pendulum suspended from the regulation bar which is raised and lowered via a snail cam. The backplate is finely engraved with scrolling foliage and retains the pendulum securing device and foliate engraved case securing brackets. Robert Ward, of Abchurch Lane, London is listed as being apprenticed in 1768 and making clocks between 1779 and 1808. He was regarded as a particularly fine maker of musical movements. The case and dial proportions of this fine clock are particularly well executed. It's normal to see the 2 subsidiary dials made small to fit within the confines of a break arch, but in this instance the door and dial have a tall ‘smooth arch' allowing for more dignified proportions. In addition the added height to the case allows the movement freedom within the case to show off the rise-and-fall mechanism and the fine quality engraved backplate.