George III Mahogany Musical and Automaton Longcase Clock by Samuel Smith
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1780
According to the auction catalogue, this George III mahogany longcase clock dates to circa 1780 and is signed by Samuel Smith of London. The case stands 232 cm high, featuring an arched hood with glazed panel door, fluted canted angles, and a flame-veneered trunk door set over a shaped base and plinth with bracket feet.
The 13-inch arched brass dial includes a painted quintet with three automaton musicians and a selector for six tunes. The silvered chapter ring surrounds a matted dial centre, seconds subsidiary, strike and chime selectors, and a date aperture. The movement is reported as a three-train mechanism with six knopped pillars and an anchor escapement.
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
- 232 cm
- Condition note
- Oak seatboard is a replacement
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Dial dimensions
- 13 inches
- Maker attribution
- Samuel Smith, London
- Maker / attribution
- Samuel Smith
- Movement description
- Three-train movement with six knopped pillars, anchor escapement, carillon of six bells, and hour bell
Design
- Movement
- The movement is a three-train mechanism featuring six knopped pillars and an anchor escapement. It is equipped to strike the hour on a large bell and play a carillon of six bells. The movement is housed within the case. Included accessories noted are a brass flat rod pendulum, three brass-covered weights, and two door keys.
- Visible features
- • Tall polished mahogany longcase clock with an arched hood and bracket feet • Trunk door fronted with richly figured flame mahogany veneer • Arched dial showing a painted scene of musicians in the upper arch above the main chapter ring • Silvered chapter ring with Roman hour numerals and subsidiary dials flanking the upper corners
- Case Construction
- The mahogany longcase clock features an arched hood with a glazed panel door, flanked by fluted canted angles. The trunk includes a flat-top arched door with flame veneer, positioned above a shaped panel base, twin-stepped plinth, and bracket feet. The clock is recorded as 232 cm high. It is noted that the oak seatboard is a replacement.
- Dial and Musical Features
- The 13-inch arched brass dial features a painted scene of three automaton musicians and a tune selector hand for six musical selections. The chapter ring is silvered, surrounding a matted center with a seconds subsidiary and a date aperture. The dial includes subsidiary selectors for strike and chime functions. The signature escutcheon is engraved 'Samuel Smith LONDON'.
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 three-train movement, bells, pendulum, and weights are enclosed in the case and not visible in the photograph.
- Research required: The auction house notes that the oak seatboard is a replacement.