A fine and rare George III period chinoiserie-decorated striking tavern clock by this well regarded London clockmaker.

The case has a tear-drop trunk with carved foliate ears beneath the dial surround, the whole finished in black lacquer and finely heightened in gilt. The trunk is framed with double gilt outlines and scattered gilt sprigs, centred by a chinoiserie scene with figures in a landscape of pavilions and pagoda-like buildings, with birds in flight above. There is a full length tear-drop shaped door to the centre of the trunk and the base is finished with a moulded foot and further gilt ornamentation.

The 22-inch painted wooden white dial is laid out with Roman numerals for the hours and an outer Arabic minute ring marked at the five-minute intervals. The signature is painted at the top and reads Thomas Grignion / Covent Garden. It retains its wooden bezel with gilt borders and matching brass hands with pierced heart-shaped tips. There are two winding apertures to the lower half for the going and striking trains.

The 8-day movement is arranged for timekeeping and striking, with the trains united by five knopped pillars. The going train is regulated by an anchor escapement, and strikes the hours on a bell via a rack.

Date: circa 1760

Dial diameter: 22 in (56 cm)
Height: 57 in (145 cm)

Maker’s note

* Thomas Grignion (born 1713, died 1784) is recorded as a London clock and watchmaker working from the Covent Garden district, and is also associated with developments in precision watchmaking in the mid-18th century. A 1760 submission by Grignion to the Society of Arts is documented, showing him operating at a level beyond routine trade work.

Grignion’s timekeepers appear in contemporary scientific circles: Nevil Maskelyne’s papers include chronometer comparisons involving a “Thomas Grignion” timekeeper alongside Arnold and Kendall, underscoring his presence in serious horological circles of the period.

JW01