A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY HOUR-STRIKING DOMESTIC LONGCASE REGULATOR Davis, Shiffnal, circa 1840 The four pillar rack and bell striking movement with Harrisons maintaining power and deadbeat escapement incorporating jewelled pallets regulated by brass and steel grid-iron compensated seconds pendulum incorporating stirrup rate adjustment above the large lenticular bob and with fine beat adjustment to crutch, the 12 inch square silvered brass dial with overlaid Roman numeral hour disc incorporating large diameter subsidiary seconds dial over signature Davis, SHIFINAL to centre and with Strike/Silent selection switch at twelve o'clock, with decorative blued steel arrow hands and applied with leafy scroll decorated panels to spandrel areas, in a case with triangular pediment over hinged glazed hood door applied with reeded mouldings to the glazed dial aperture and with rectangular side windows, the trunk with concave throat moulding and flame figured frieze over rectangular glazed door flanked by free-standing reeded columns with brass caps and bases to front angles, the base with stepped ogee top moulding over rectangular caddy moulded raised panel flanked by canted angles, on bracket feet. 211cm (83ins) high, 51cm (20ins) wide, 23cm 99ins) deep. John Davis is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World as born in Shiffnal, Shropshire in 1799 and working as a clockmaker up until circa 1875. The current lot is noteworthy in that the maker gave the pendulum and escapement a great deal of attention with the latter having jewelled pallets and the former being finely constructed with gridiron compensation, very heavy bob attached by hooks and calibrated rate adjustment within a stirrup type frame above the bob. Condition Report: Movement is in fine clean working condition having been recently serviced and is free from visible alteration or significant replacements. The dial has some moderate rubbing/discolouration to the silvering otherwise is in fine original condition and is nicely detailed. The seatboard is original to the case however there is a more recently made wooden bridge-shaped support applied to the upper surface to raise the movement to allow correct positioning of the dial within the hood aperture. As the original corresponding holes for the lines and for securing the movement via bolts through the bottom movement pillars are present in the seatboard, the current 'bridge' support would appear to be an honest replacement of a block that was previously applied to the seatboard to raise the movement. When considering these details we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are most likely original to the case. The case is in fine condition having been recently cosmetically restored; faults are hence very much limited to bumps, scuffs and other very slight age related blemishes. Clock is complete with pair of brass-cased weights, 'gridiron' pendulum, case keys and a winder. Condition Report Disclaimer