George III mahogany longcase clock, John Holmes
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1775
This George III longcase clock is attributed to John Holmes in London, dated circa 1775. Standing 229 cm high, the mahogany case is constructed with an arched hood crowned by moulded cresting and a single ball finial, reeded canted corners, and foliate side frets.
Below, the trunk displays a finely moulded broken-arch door over a panelled plinth on a stepped base. The 12-inch arched dial includes rococo spandrels, a matted centre, subsidiary seconds dial, date aperture, a strike/silent dial in the arch, and a silvered plaque signed 'Holmes, London'. According to the source, the movement features five knopped pillars, anchor escapement with reduced recoil, maintaining power, a Ludlam-type wood rod pendulum with roller suspension, and rack striking on a later coiled gong.
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
- 229cm (7ft 6in)
- Pillars
- Five knopped pillars
- Dial Size
- 12-inch
- Escapement
- Anchor escapement with reduced recoil
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker Signature
- Holmes, London
- Striking Mechanism
- Rack striking on a later coiled gong
- Maker / attribution
- John Holmes
Design
- Visible features
- • Arched hood surmounted by a central brass ball finial with a small decorative crest. • Trunk door shows flame mahogany figuring with an arched top moulding. • Brass dial has gilt rococo spandrels, a silvered chapter ring, subsidiary seconds dial, and an upper strike/silent dial within the arch. • Lower plinth base features rectangular moulding above a stepped base.
- Dial Configuration
- The 12-inch dial features gilt rococo spandrels around a silvered chapter ring, with an upper strike/silent dial located within the arch. The matted dial centre incorporates a subsidiary seconds dial, a date aperture, and a silvered plaque signed 'Holmes, London'.
- Reported Horological Movement
- The source describes a substantial movement assembled with five knopped pillars, fitted with maintaining power and an anchor escapement with reduced recoil. The pendulum assembly is catalogued as a Ludlam-type wood rod pendulum with a roller suspension. The striking mechanism uses rack striking, recorded as operating on a later coiled gong rather than a bell.
- Case Architecture and Composition
- The clock is housed in a mahogany case standing 229 cm (7 ft 6 in) high. Observation of the exterior shows an arched hood surmounted by a central brass ball finial on a small decorative crest, while the cataloguing notes moulded cresting, reeded canted corners, and foliate side frets. Below the hood, the trunk door shows flame mahogany figuring with an arched top moulding, described in the lot description as a finely moulded broken-arch trunk door. The trunk terminates in a panelled plinth with rectangular mouldings set over a stepped base.
Identification
- 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 coiled gong are not visible in the photograph.
- Research required: The source notes that the coiled gong is later.