Lancashire Longcase Clock by Thomas Ashton
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1760–1795
This longcase clock is attributed to the British clockmaker Thomas Ashton, who was active in Macclesfield between 1760 and 1795. The object features a cabinet constructed from oak, incorporating crossbanding details in mahogany.
The hood is accented with dentil moulding, slender pillars, and a glass panel decorated using the Verre églomisé technique, displaying gilded acanthus or scroll motifs against a blue ground. The trunk of the clock is supported by a panelled base and features fluted quarter columns. The brass dial, measuring 12 inches, includes gilt-cast corner spandrels and a silvered chapter ring displaying Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes.
The center of the dial contains an aperture for the date, a small seconds sub-dial, and an engraved signature reading 'Ashton Macclesfield'. The movement has undergone restoration.
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
- Maker
- Thomas Ashton of Macclesfield
- Period
- 1760–1795
- Dial size
- 12 inches
- Place recorded
- England
- Hood decoration
- Verre églomisé glass
- Cabinet materials
- Oak and mahogany
- Restoration status
- Fully restored
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Ashton of Macclesfield
Design
- Visible features
- • Silvered chapter ring features Roman hour markers and Arabic minute markers • The hood top includes a blue glass panel with gilded scrollwork decoration • The trunk door features a traditional brass key escutcheon • Engraved signature on the central dial reads 'Ashton Macclesfield'
- Case and Exterior
- The clock is housed in a longcase cabinet constructed primarily from oak. The design features contrasting crossbanding elements executed in mahogany, which are present along the hood and door margins. The hood section is defined by dentil moulding along the upper edge and is supported by slender pillars. A notable decorative element of the hood is the Verre églomisé glass insert located at the top, which utilizes reverse glass painting to display gilded ornamentation against a blue backdrop. The trunk is further detailed with quarter columns and concludes in a panelled base, equipped with a traditional brass keyhole escutcheon.
- Dial and Indication
- The square dial is manufactured from brass and measures 12 inches in diameter. The corners are enriched with gilt-cast spandrels, providing a contrast to the metal face. The time is read from a silvered chapter ring, which utilizes Roman numerals for the hour progression and Arabic numerals for the minutes. The central portion of the dial is engraved and features a small seconds sub-dial, an aperture to display the calendar date, and the maker's signature, 'Ashton Macclesfield'.
- Condition and Attribution
- The source attributes the construction of the clock to Thomas Ashton, a maker active in the late 18th century. His professional record is cited in the reference work by G.H. Baillie. The auction description reports that the clock has been fully restored. As the clock is an antique mechanical object, the source advises that collectors conduct an independent assessment regarding the authenticity of the wooden joints, the integrity of the dial and pendulum, the matching status of the weights, and the originality of the gear train.
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: Integrity of wood joints, dial and pendulum, and weight matching are not verified
- Research required: The extent of original versus replaced gear components within the movement is unverified