Lot
1065
An Impressive and Interesting George II Blue Japanned Chiming Table Clock with an Early Enamel Dial, signed G.Grehem, London (possibly a late example by George Graham), circa 1750, the case elaborately decorated with Oriental scenes throughout and having an unusual blue background colour, caddied top, side carrying handles and viewing windows, pull repeat cord, rectangular japanned base raised upon brass ball feet, 7-3/4-inch arched brass dial with a circular 7-inch white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, the arch with a enamel date dial, triple fusee movement with verge escapement, quarter chiming with eight hammers chiming onto a nest of eight bells and a further hammer striking a larger bell for the hours, movement backplate elaborately engraved throughout with scrollwork and signed to the centre of the backplate G. Grehem, London, bob pendulum, pediment finial missing, 63cm high
This is an early example of a table clock with an enamel dial. It shows similar features to a table clock by George Graham, illustrated in Georgian Bracket Clocks, by Richard C.R.Barder, pg.76,79. There it mentions the clock is signed G.Graham on the backplate with the movement housed in a red lacquered case. The dial of that clock is almost identical to the above clock's dial layout. George Graham died in 1751, about the time that enamel dials were first used on table clocks. The name G.Grehem is not recorded in clockmakers' books, but judging by the quality of the movement and workmanship, this clock is likely to have been made by a top class maker. The similarity of the two clocks and their signatures suggests the signature Grehem is either a mis-spelling or a specific signature for the Continental clock market, as it is housed in a lacquered case
Estimate:
£10000-15000