Longcase clock by Andrew Scott
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1790
This antique longcase clock was crafted by the Edinburgh-based clockmaker Andrew Scott, with an attributed date of circa 1790. The timepiece is housed in a cabinet constructed from flame mahogany.
The hood features classical arched molding with decorative wooden and metal elements and fluted columns on the sides. The main trunk is characterized by an elongated door adorned with an oval-shaped inlay featuring a seashell motif. The silvered dial is detailed with Roman numerals for the hours and an Arabic minute track, accompanied by decorative hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a calendar aperture. The corners of the dial display engraved foliage and bird patterns.
The clock operates on an 8-day duration movement, which strikes the hour on a bell.
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 1790
- Type
- Longcase clock
- Maker
- Andrew Scott
- Duration
- 8-day
- Case material
- Flame mahogany
- Place recorded
- Scotland
- Striking mechanism
- Bell strike
- Maker / attribution
- Andrew Scott
Design
- Visible features
- • Silvered dial with engraved foliage and bird motifs in the corners • Oval seashell inlay on the trunk door • Classical swan-neck pediment with decorative turnings • Arched dial signed 'Andw Scott Edinr'
- Case Construction
- The clock is encased in flame mahogany, a choice of wood often selected for its distinct grain pattern. The cabinet follows traditional proportions, incorporating fluted columns on the sides of the hood. The hood itself is finished with a classical arched top, featuring decorative wooden and metal turnings. The trunk, or main body, features an elongated door that serves as a canvas for decorative inlay work. This element consists of an oval-shaped motif depicting a seashell, which provides a focal point on the vertical surface of the mahogany case.
- Dial and Inscriptions
- The spandrels and corner regions are ornamented with delicate carvings depicting birds and acanthus-style foliage. The dial layout includes Roman numeral hour indicators and an Arabic minute track, alongside a subsidiary dial for seconds and an aperture for the calendar. Central to the upper arch is the signature of the maker. The name is engraved within a circular frame as "Andw Scott Edinr" in a flowing script, identifying the object's origin in Edinburgh. The dial composition reflects traditional arrangements for longcase clocks of the late 18th century.
- Movement and Function
- The timepiece is driven by a movement designed for an 8-day duration, described in the source as having a robust and high-quality build. The clock utilizes a bell for its striking mechanism, which sounds at the hourly intervals. According to the auction description, the movement has undergone a comprehensive overhaul to ensure its current operational status. This maintenance is intended to support the functional longevity of the mechanism.
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 1790 date is attributed via an accompanying certificate rather than a maker's mark
- Research required: The operational status and overhaul claims are based on seller assertions