Georgian Bracket Clock by John Taylor
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This 18th-century English Georgian bracket clock is attributed by Bonhams Skinner to John Taylor, London. The wooden case features a bell top with four finials and a hinged brass bale handle, accented with gilt figural mounts at the front corners.
Visible through the arched glass door is a polychrome enameled automaton scene situated above a brass and floral enameled dial. The dial includes Roman numeral hour markings, pierced hands, and two subsidiary circular registers. Measuring 18 1/4 inches in height, the clock was catalogued from a Newport, Rhode Island estate.
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
- Bracket clock
- Handle
- Bale handle
- Height
- 18 1/4 inches
- Automaton
- Polychrome enameled automaton
- Provenance
- From a Newport Rhode Island estate
- Place recorded
- England
- Date and origin
- England, 18th century
- Dial description
- Brass and floral enameled dial
- Maker attribution
- John Taylor, London
- Maker / attribution
- John Taylor
Design
- Visible features
- • Stepped bell-top wooden case surmounted by a hinged brass bale handle and corner finials. • Gilt-metal figural or herm mounts flank the upper sides of the front arched door frame. • Pierced spandrel fretwork visible in the upper corners of the glazed front door. • Polychrome enameled automaton scene depicting figures in a landscape located in the arch above the chapter ring. • Brass chapter ring with Roman numerals surrounds a floral enameled dial center containing two subsidiary dials.
- Case Construction
- The clock is housed in a wooden case featuring a stepped bell-top design. The top is surmounted by a hinged brass bale handle, flanked by four corner finials. Ornamentation includes gilt-metal figural or herm mounts situated at the front upper corners of the door frame. The glazed front door also features pierced spandrel fretwork in its upper corners.
- Dial and Automaton
- The clock dial assembly consists of a brass chapter ring marked with Roman numerals, surrounding a central floral enameled section that incorporates two subsidiary dials. Located in the arch above the chapter ring is a polychrome enameled automaton scene depicting landscape figures. The source description identifies this as an 'atomaton'.
- Identity and Attribution
- This bracket clock is attributed to the maker John Taylor of London and is dated to the 18th century. The object was catalogued from a Newport, Rhode Island estate. The identification relies on the attribution provided by the auction house. No specific horological references or maker's marks are cited in the provided source to substantiate the connection to John Taylor.
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, escapement, backplate, and striking train details are neither described nor pictured.
- Research required: The source catalogue text contains a typo ('atomaton' for 'automaton').