George Graham No. 679 George II Walnut Longcase Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1730
Maker / issuer
George GrahamThis George II walnut longcase clock was crafted in London circa 1730 and is attributed by Sotheby's to George Graham, marked with number 679. The walnut case stands approximately 225 cm tall, featuring a moulded caddy top, pierced frieze frets, brass-capped hood pilasters, a long rectangular trunk door, and a stepped plinth base.
Its square brass dial displays Roman numerals, Indian mask and scroll spandrels, a subsidiary seconds dial, a date aperture, and maintaining power lever. According to the auction description, the movement incorporates five latched knopped pillars, anchor escapement, bolt and shutter maintaining power, and rack striking on a bell.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Longcase clock
- Height
- 7ft. 4½in. (225 cm)
- Dial size
- 12-inch
- Escapement
- Anchor escapement
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Movement number
- 679
- Maker / attribution
- George Graham
- Maker's signature on dial
- Geo: Graham, London
Design
- Visible features
- • Square brass dial framed by gilt corner spandrels, featuring an outer chapter ring and a subsidiary upper dial. • Figured burr walnut veneer across the long rectangular trunk door and front plinth. • Hood flanked by brass-mounted columns supporting a stepped caddy cresting.
- Provenance and Dating
- The lot was offered in Sotheby's sale 'The Manny Davidson Collection: A Life in Treasures and Benevolence - Evening Sale' with an assigned date of circa 1730, London. The provenance listed in the catalogue records prior sale at Christie's London on 26 November 1996, lot 254, from 'The Vitale collection of Highly Important European clocks'. The detailed condition report was restricted to logged-in users on the source website and is not reproduced in the public catalogue text. Independent verification of internal mechanism details remains unconfirmed by visible imagery.
- Dial Composition and Inscriptions
- The clock is catalogued with a 12-inch latched square brass dial fitted with double screwed Indian mask and scroll spandrels. It features a finely matted centre with a subsidiary seconds dial, a date aperture with pin hole adjustment, and a maintaining power lever positioned between II and III. The dial bears multiple inscriptions. It is signed along the lower edge 'Geo: Graham, London' and signed again on a silvered oval plaque, which is also numbered 679.
- Case Architecture and Construction
- The walnut case measures 7 feet 4½ inches (225 cm) in height. The hood features a moulded top and caddy cresting above finely pierced frets to the frieze and sides, accompanied by brass-capped pilasters. Visual inspection confirms figured burr walnut veneer across the long rectangular trunk door and front plinth. According to the cataloguing description, the rectangular trunk door is numbered 679 twice to its inner upper edge. The case terminates in a crossbanded plinth with a stepped base, and the sides are divided into panels with crossbanding.
Identification
- Serial number
- 679
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Internal movement, pendulum, weights, and rear plate markings are not visible in the provided image.
- Research required: Latched dial mechanism and backplate numbering are reported by the source and cannot be independently confirmed from the photograph.