Josiah Emery Small Mahogany Longcase Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1785
According to the auction cataloguer, this timepiece is a small mahogany longcase clock attributed to London clockmaker Josiah Emery, dating to circa 1785. Measuring approximately 192.5 centimetres in height, the clock features a 7-inch arched dial signed Josiah Emery, London, fitted with a seconds dial, calendar aperture, and an arch strike/silent indicator.
The movement utilizes rack and bell striking. The mahogany case is described as having a broken-arch moulded hood top with fluted canted corners, a broken-arch trunk door, and a rectangular plinth resting on a stepped moulded base.
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
- 192.5 cm (6 ft 3¾ in)
- Mechanism
- Rack and bell striking movement
- Dial signature
- Josiah Emery, London
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Case construction
- Broken-arch moulded top, fluted canted hood corners, broken-arch trunk door, rectangular plinth with stepped moulded base
- Dial specification
- 7-inch arched dial with seconds dial and calendar aperture
- Maker / attribution
- Josiah Emery
Design
- Visible features
- • Full-length front view of the slender mahogany longcase clock showing the hooded dial, arched trunk door, and rectangular base. • The hood features an arched glazed front door flanked by canted corner profiles. • The trunk door features external hinges on the right and an escutcheon on the left.
- Dial and Indicated Mechanism
- According to the auction catalogue, the clock is fitted with a 7-inch arched dial signed 'Josiah Emery, London'. The dial features an auxiliary seconds dial, a calendar aperture, and a strike/silent dial located in the arch. The movement is described in the source as a rack and bell striking movement. However, the movement plates, wheelwork, weights, and pendulum are entirely enclosed within the case and cannot be directly inspected or verified from the primary cataloguing photograph.
- Case Form and External Structure
- The clock is built in a mahogany case standing at an auction-recorded height of 192.5 cm (6 ft 3¾ in). The cataloguer describes the cabinetwork as having a broken-arch moulded top, fluted canted hood corners, a broken-arch trunk door, and a rectangular plinth resting on a stepped moulded base. Visual observation of the exterior confirms a full-length slender configuration featuring an arched glazed front door on the hood flanked by canted corner profiles. The trunk door is fitted with external hinges positioned on the right and an escutcheon on the left.
- Attribution and Documentation Limitations
- The clock is catalogued to circa 1785 and attributed to Josiah Emery. The catalogue note records that Emery was born in Switzerland, worked from premises at 33 Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, London, and was made an honorary Freeman of the Clockmakers' Company in 1781. He died in 1797 and was succeeded by Recordon & Dupont. The circa 1785 date represents a cataloguer's estimate rather than a date established by serial numbers or workshop records in the source. Furthermore, the dial signatures and auxiliary dial inscriptions cannot be independently verified from the photograph due to image resolution and glazing reflection.
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 internal movement, weights, pendulum, and striking mechanism are not visible in the photograph.
- Research required: Dial signatures and fine auxiliary dial details are partially obscured due to image resolution and glazing reflection.