A very rare, early shield dial Tavern Timepiece in a wonderfully untouched state.

The exceptional case retains virtually all its black and gilt lacquer Chinoiserie decoration.  It is decorated onto pine, as one would expect on a piece of George II lacquer furniture at the end of the early period.  The case also has a number of very unusual features:  the non-opening dummy trunk door and bombé shaped base with a sliding panel and raised gilt lenticle, the offset winding arbor and the long sliding viewing panels for the movement on each side.  The sides of the case are decorated with the more usual gilt sprays of chrysanthemums.

The flat wooden 3 piece dial has a raised flat edge moulding with very unusual and charming floral and foliate decoration.  The chapter ring is very well laid out with Roman hours and outside Arabic five minute marks. The restored brass hour hand is elaborately pierced and wrought and the long slender minute hand has a crescent shaped counterpoise. The early long plated movement has four finned pillars and offset wind. The long pendulum has a brass bob which is visible through the lenticle as it swings from side to side.

Height:  61 ½ in (156 cm)

Dial width:  25 in (63.5 cm)

Depth: 5 ¾ in (14.5 cm)

* This early shield dial tavern clock with its unusual elongated form and sliding ogee shaped lenticle panel is only the second such clock we have handled in over 35 years.

HW5641