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London Mahogany Moon-Phase Grandfather Clocks

Moon-Phase antique grandfather clock by James Clarke of London
James Clarke London Grandfather Clock with Moon feature

A while back now I wrote a blog about moon-phase antique clocks. We restored this superb antique grandfather clock by James Clarke of London. I thought it was important to write a little more. More about London mahogany moon-phase clocks in particular and why they are so rare and sought after.

A fine 12 inch chapter ring and spandrels brass dial with moon and strike silent feature to the 3 o clock position on the dial
Lovely moon-phase James Clarke dial

London clocks with Moons

This clock above is a simply beautiful example of a London moon-phase clock. You will notice the high quality matted centre to the cast brass dial. Chapter ring and spandrels and subsidiary calendar. Recessed seconds feature and lovely engraving to the moon discs to the arch. The name is prominently engraved to the cartouche around the arch. It has beautiful painted moon disc and a special extra feature of strike/silent lever to the three o’clock position on the dial.

Lovely movement view of Clarke of London 8 day clock
Lovely 8 day moon movement by James Clarke of London C1770

Moon Workings

The picture above shows the beautiful workings of this James Clarke 8 day antique clock. You will notice one large extending piece of brass for the front plate top. This is so that the dial feet can miss the moon disc. Lovely high quality 5 pillar London movement, all now beautifully restored back to showroom condition.

I will now return to why so few London clocks have moon features.

Reasons why there so few London clocks with Moons

I suppose there are two main reasons. The first reason which is an important point to start from is the size of the London dials. Provincial 12 inch dials tend to be 17 inches high which would allow for a full semi circle to the arch. Easily enough space for a feature like a rotating moon disc. On a London clock the height is 1 inch less. That means on a 12 inch wide dial, the height of the dial is only 16 inches. The space to the arch is now no longer a full semi-circle and far more restricting. On the dial above you will notice the arch is not a semi-circle. The cartouche around the arch tapers to the centre.

Trading outside London

The second reason is centred around the fact that London is London. Trading in the UK outside London was not really required back then There were plenty of wealthy clients in and around London. Moons generally were required to check when to travel. Generally merchants would travel on and around full moons, so the risk of the Highwayman was not so great. Clearly some clocks like those with high tide, will also occur sometimes with moons.

High Water Tidal Clocks

Knowing when your high tide in your local port like London bridge was also important for the merchants. Travelling around London with the fact they had good street lighting fired by oil lamps after 1750 was not so hazardous. Knowing when the next full moon was, was not really as important.

As discussed in my other blog about moon phase clocks, there were lots of different types of moon. It is the rolling moon like that on the James Clarke clock that was the most popular. Two moons appear on these discs, but only one can be visible at any one time. Generally on London clocks the moon is accompanied by a starry sky rather than country scenes on provincial clocks.

29 and a half days in a lunar month

There are, as previously discussed, 29 and a half days in a lunar month. We divide up the 12 months into either 31, 30,29 or 28 days to compensate. The exact lunar cycle is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds I believe, I hope my memory is right ! The clocks moon as it is 29 and a half days and is therefore fairly accurate, once set !

Lovely mahogany veneers and case features of this top quality London clock by James Clarke
Full length picture of the James Clarke London mahogany clock

James Clarke Clock

The James Clarke antique grandfather clock picture above shows what a top quality clock should look like. The dial and movement show amazing high quality features and detailing. The case shows only the finest London case making features of the late 18th century. Quarter columns and brass capitals to the base. Moulding to bridge top door and base and 2 plinths are but some of these lovely features. To view this clock please visit our shop in London, Pendulum of Mayfair or contact us through our website https://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk . James Clarke is listed as working in Newgate Street, London and was apprentice in 1760 and a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1768-78.

Daniel R Clements

#SBS Theo Paphitis Winner August 2014 : Antique Clocks Twitter

Antique Grandfather Clock by John Carter – London C1770

John Carter london mahogany moonphase to the arch grandfather clock

A superb London mahogany longcase clock with the dial signed by John Carter of London C1770.

The 8 day arched brass dial movement with three train mechanism. Striking the quarters on a peel of bells.

The lovely arched brass dial with chapter ring and spandrels, seconds and calendar features, finely matted centre and rare moon-phase feature to the arch.

The lovey quality cabinet with high quality London case features, quarter columns with brass strung and reeded and brass capitals, dome top to the hood and reeded and brass strung hood columns. Moulding to door and base panel. Standing on two plinths the lower shaped.

A London mahogany clock by John Carter shown in Fig 228/229/230 of the well known clock book Cescinsky and Webster- English Domestic Clocks.

Antique Grandfather Clock by Lawrence – Lancaster C1820

A very rare early 19th century oval dial 8 day duration grandfather clock, the dial signed Lawrence of Lancaster.

The lovey painted scene dial with subsidiary seconds, calendar and inset moon-phase to the centre. Rocking father time to the arch.

The 8 day duration movement striking the hours on a single bell.

The outsanding cabinet probably made by the famous firm Gillows of Lancaster. Typical Lancaster round top to the trunk door. Finely matched mahogany veneers to the trunk door and the base.

John Lawrence of Lancaster is recorded in Clocks of North Lancashire & Westmoreland by Susan Stuart as a clockmaker in Penny St, Lancaster from 1754 and was made a freeman of the city.

Brief History Gillows Cabinet Making Firm

Antique Grandfather Clock by William Pitt – London C1800

William Pitt main

Featuring a superb white dial grandfather clock.Together with flame mahogany veneered cabinet. The convex dial signed William Pitt of London.

The high quality 8 day movement striking the hours on a single bell.

London cabinet showing all the high quality case features. Long trunk door with moulding, also with chamfered sides to the case. Brass frets to the hood. Dome top to case.Finally the clock being of delightful colour and patination.

Antique Grandfather Clocks

Antique Grandfather Clock Thomas Delasalle London C1790

Thomas Delasalle main

A superb 8 day flame mahogany grandfather clock. The dome top London mahogany case of good colour and patination. Clock by Thomas Delasalle London. The dial with polished and engraved centre with subsidiary seconds and calendar. Strike silent to the arch, chapter ring and spandrels to the dial corners. In addition the 5 pillar movement striking the hours on a single bell. Finally the stunning cabinet shows all the high quality London case features.

Antique Grandfather Clocks

Antique Grandfather Clock by James Gray – Edinburgh C1790

James Gray main

A lovely elegant mahogany ‘8-day’ arched silvered brass dial grandfather clock. James Gray of Edinburgh engraved to the dial. The movement striking the hours on a single bell. Lovely case with swan neck pediments and reeded quarter columns. Altogether standing on bracket feet. Finally the dial finely engraved and with seconds and calendar features.

Antique Grandfather Clocks

Antique Grandfather Clock by Spencer & Perkins 1770

Spencer & Perkins main

A highly collectable ‘8-day’ flame mahogany veneered grandfather clock. All showing the typical high quality London case features of the time by Spencer & Perkins. This clock has spent its entire life I believe in Portugal in Lisbon. It has also been exhibited in Lisbon. This was to commemorate a famous battle in portugese history where the English helped decide the outcome.

The dial with two circular painted discs for the dial centre. Together with strike silent to the arch. Spandrels to the dial corners and to the arch as well. Subsidiary seconds and calendar. The movement striking the hours on a single bell. What looks like the original transport piece of wood behind the movement. This would of been used when it was sent to Portugal. A very rare clock.

Antique Grandfather Clocks

Antique Grandfather Clock by Gravell & Tolkien – London C1800

Gravell & Tolkien main

A superb round brass silvered dial mahogany case domestic regulator grandfather clock. The ‘8 day’ duration movement by Gravell & Tolkien. This together with dead-beat escapement, maintaining power and wood rod pendulum. The makers were successors to Eardley Norton. A very special clock and of superb colour and patination. Tolkien is reportedly the great Grandfather of the author J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit , Lord of the rings etc ) Finally I would say a lovely clock that would suit any home.

Antique Grandfather Clocks