Mahogany astronomical long case clock, made by John Benson, Whitehaven, Cumbria, about 1760

Break arch brass dial. Silvered chapter ring with Roman hour numerals, Arabic numerals in multiples of five the two separated by engraved dots representing each minute.

Immediately within the chapter ring, the silvered and engraved dial centre carries a narrow band engraved with Arabic numbers for the date, which is registered by a central steel hand concentric with the steel hour and minute hands. Brass and steel weight driven two-train movement with rack striking on bell. Four pillars of bulbous profile, but of rectangular profile at the swellings, with a pronounced groove in the middle of the centre swelling.

The central calendar hand is carried on a ratchet wheel, which is operated once a day by the 24-hour wheel. The dial arch has the major portion of a twenty-four hour chapter ring which is traversed daily by a gilt effigy of the sun, and shows sunrise, sunset and the sun’s amplitude. The case is a restrained example of the Lancashire Chippendale style, inspired by Plate CLXIH from Thomas Chippendale’s Director.