A George III mahogany eight-day longcase clock

A George III mahogany eight-day longcase clockJohn Tombs, London, circa 1770The five pillar rack and bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the 12 inch brass break-arch dial with subsidiary seconds dial and calendar aperture to the finely matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track, with pierced steel hands and twin bird and urns cast spandrels to angles beneath arch centred with a silvered boss signed John Tombs, LONDON over S/N strike/silent selection switch flanked by conforming mounts, in a mahogany pagoda-top case incorporating later applied parcel-gilt gesso elements with shaped scroll pierced fret to the husk and urn decorated superstructure and break-arch cavetto cornice over brass stop fluted columns flanking the glazed dial aperture, the sides with break-arch windows and quarter columns applied to bargeboards at the rear, the trunk with acanthus decorated throat and flame figured break-arch over plinth base with fluted top moulding and fronted with conforming raised panel over moulded double skirt incorporating scroll decorated squat bracket feet, 245cm (96.5ins) high. John Tombs is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in London circa 1761.Condition Report: Movement is in relatively clean working condition with no evidence of alterration. Dial is in fine clean condition with original hands and fine quality matting. The seatboard appears original and the cheek uprights are free of packing so movement and dial are most likely original to the case.The case is in good overall condition with faults primary limited to relatively small bumps, scuffs bruising and minor shrinkage. The gesso decoration is present with faults limited to some elements detached from a finial with possibly one or two very small pieces missing. The structure is sound with no problematic worm damage etc.; the hood door glass is cracked.Clock has brass cased weights, pendulum and case key but no winder.Condition Report Disclaimer