A good George III period mahogany bracket clock of refined proportions by this London maker.

The case is constructed of well-figured mahogany and is surmounted by a brass swing handle and four brass acorn finials. The front door is framed by finely cast and gilded foliate sound frets and flanked by arched glazed side panels. The clock stands on four cast brass ogee bracket feet.

The 6-inch x 8 ½-inch  silvered brass break-arch dial is engraved with Roman numerals and Arabic five minute markers with an inner minute track. The finely pierced steel hands appear to be original and there is a subsidiary Strike/Silent dial in the arch. It is elegantly signed Baird London to the centre, amidst delicate foliate engraving to each corner of the chapter ring.

The twin fusee movement has verge escapement and pear shaped pendulum bob, strikes the hours on a bell, with a pull-repeat function via a cord. The backplate is signed Baird London No. 26, within an outer border of interlocking leaves.

Height: 15 ¾ in (40 cm) excl. handle

Height: 17 ¼ in (43.8 cm) incl. handle

Width: 10 in (25.4 cm)

Depth: 7 ½ in (19 cm)

*John Baird is recorded to have been working in Strand, London from 1775 before moving to Hatton Garden in 1820. The fact that he numbered his clocks at this date is quite unusual. He is listed on page 34 of Brian Loomes’ Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World: Complete 21^st Century Edition (2006 NAG Press)

HW6559