A rare George III period cream, black and polychrome gilt lacquer longcase clock with two-train brass dial hour-striking movement.

The 12-inch break arch brass dial has an applied silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring and a subsidiary seconds dial below XII. The dial centre is silvered and finely engraved and the maker’s signature is signed in large script across the centre below rare engraved two stylised entwined serpents. In the arch there is a strike/silent dial with foliate engraving. The substantial high-quality 8-day two-train movement strikes the hours on a single bell.

The stunning cream, black and gilt chinoiserie decorated case is in a remarkable state of preservation. It has a break arch top to the hood, a raised panelled base with a double plinth and a long moulded break arch top trunk door. The gilt decoration is highly distinctive with three intricately shaped panels in the long trunk door depicting oriental scenes, human figures and leafy floral landscapes on a cream coloured background. These are offset by sections of gilt crosshatching and black and gilt foliate decorated moulding. The decoration to the base, hood and sides has the same beautiful contrasting colours and motifs. The predominant white/cream ground colour has a ‘faux’ ivory effect.

Height: 89 ½ in ( 227.5 cm)

* Robert Mawley is listed on page 520 of Brian Loomes’ Clockmakers of the World as working in London from the first half of the 18^th century until the early part of George III’s reign.

A case with cartouche panels depicting chinoiserie scenes resembling those on this clock, is illustrated in H. Huth, Lacquer of the West: The History of a Craft and an Industry, 1550 – 1850 (Chicago 1971), fig.74.

There is also a mahogany longcase clock of similar form by Robert Mawley which is in the National Trust Property (NT1246209), Polesden Lacey in Surrey.

Provenance: An American Private Collection

HW6431