Musical Bracket Clock by Francis Perigal III
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1790
This musical bracket clock, dating to approximately 1790, is attributed to the London maker Francis Perigal III. It is housed in an arched mahogany case featuring gilt brass ormolu mounts and is elevated on scrolling bracket feet.
The clock includes a front and rear glazed door, allowing for a view of the internal movement. The dial is set within an arched area decorated in blue, green, and gilt, with champlevé enamel panels on a silver ground. It features subsidiary dials for musical-tune selection and chime/silent functions, while the main dial is signed "Perigal, London." The brass movement is fully engraved and includes a musical train capable of playing four different tunes on a nest of eleven bells, with hourly strikes on a separate bell.
It incorporates the original verge escapement and pendulum.
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
- Musical bracket clock
- Maker
- Francis Perigal III
- Height
- 50 cm
- Signature
- Perigal, London
- Provenance
- Private collection, UK
- Case material
- Mahogany and gilt brass
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Musical features
- Four tunes on eleven bells
- Maker / attribution
- Francis Perigal III
Design
- Case and Dial
- The clock is contained within an arched mahogany case, which is finished with gilt brass ormolu mounts. The design includes a gilt brass urn finial at the top and sits on scrolling bracket feet decorated with pierced sound frets. The case design incorporates front and rear glazed doors. The arched dial features a decorative surround in blue, green, and gilt, accented by champlevé enamel panels set on a silver ground. The main enamel dial, marked with Roman numerals, is signed "Perigal, London" and paired with pierced gilt hands. Two smaller subsidiary dials are positioned in the arch for musical-tune selection and chime/silent control.
- Visible features
- • Blue, green and gilt decorated arch surrounding the dial • Subsidiary dials for tune selection and chime/silent • Eleven bells for the musical mechanism • Engraved backplate featuring scrolling foliage
- Provenance and Condition
- The clock is reported to have come from a private collection in the United Kingdom. The listed dimensions for the clock are 19 ¾ inches, or 50 centimeters in height. The listing notes that the clock is currently in stock at the showroom.
- Movement and Musical Mechanism
- The movement is a brass, fully engraved mechanism signed by Francis Perigal. It is equipped with a musical train that plays a selection of four melodies on a nest of eleven bells. The clock strikes the hour on a separate bell, and it is reported to sound once every hour. The movement includes the original verge escapement and pendulum. The backplate features engraved scrolling foliage detail.
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 exact identity of the specific Perigal family member as Francis Perigal III relies on the source text
- Research required: The assertion that the escapement and pendulum are the original components is reported by the seller