John Hills Longcase Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1810
This antique English longcase clock is attributed to the clockmaker John Hills, who was active in East Grinstead during the early 19th century. The clock is housed in an ebonised cabinet featuring decorative lacquer work with gilded detailing, an arched hood, and side columns.
The dial is constructed from brass, fully engraved, and displays Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes, accompanied by a subsidiary seconds dial and a calendar display. Positioned in the dial's arch is a strike-silent indicator. The mechanical movement has an eight-day duration and strikes on a bell. The auction description reports that the clock has been fully overhauled and is currently in working condition.
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
- Date
- Circa 1810
- Type
- Longcase clock
- Maker
- John Hills
- Location
- East Grinstead, England
- Mechanism
- 8-day duration
- Dial features
- Strike/Silent, calendar, seconds
- Strike system
- Bell strike
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- John Hills
Design
- Cabinet and Dial
- The clock is presented in an ebonised cabinet, utilizing a lacquer finish to achieve its darkened aesthetic. Gilded detailing outlines the edges of the hood and the trunk, highlighting the architectural form of the piece. The hood is topped with an arched pediment supported by lateral columns that frame the clock face. The dial is manufactured from brass and features extensive engraving. It includes Roman numeral hour markers and Arabic numeral minute markers, with additional displays for the seconds and calendar. The arch of the dial incorporates a specific indicator for the strike or silent function, providing control over the bell-ringing mechanism.
- Visible features
- • Ebonised finish with gilded accents on the cabinet • Brass dial with detailed engraving and calendar aperture • Strike/silent selection dial in the arch of the face
- Movement and Function
- The timekeeping and striking functions are managed by an eight-day mechanical movement. This movement is designed to strike the hours on a single bell mounted within the case. The arrangement of the gear train allows for the integration of the strike-silent mechanism, permitting the user to suppress the chime as desired. The auction description reports that the movement has been subject to a full overhaul, ensuring it is in current working order. The integration of the movement, dial, and cabinet is noted as a subject for independent inspection to confirm the lack of non-original replacement parts.
- Attribution and Maintenance
- John Hills is identified as the clockmaker, with historical documentation placing his work in East Grinstead during the early 19th century. While some records suggest his active period centered around the 1820s, the current listing attributes the manufacture of this specific clock to approximately 1810. The condition of the brass dial and the ebonised finish on the cabinet are visually reported to be in good state of preservation. Prospective collectors are advised to independently evaluate the mechanical components, specifically the springs and gear train, to verify their continued functional integrity and originality.
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: The provenance of the wooden cabinet connections remains unverified
- Research required: The potential replacement of movement components over time requires independent assessment