Francis Perigal, London

SOLD

A fine George III mahogany longcase clock with architectural pediment. Circa 1790

Case

Elegant proportioned figured mahogany case with fine mouldings and bolection moulded hood door flanked by stop fluted, reeded and canted corners surmounted by an architectural pediment. Reeded canted corners with brass stop fluting to the trunk with long trunk door, the flame veneers matching the raised panel to the base with double plinth.

Dial

The square silvered brass dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, signed Francis Perigal, London, with subsidiary seconds dial, calendar aperture and strike silent above XII. Blued steel hands.

Movement

The substantial eight day movement with thick plates. Five large baluster pillars, anchor escapement with long steel crutch and large backcock for the flat steel-rod pendulum with heavy lenticular brass-faced bob. Striking the hours on a bell.

Height 6ft 10 ins (208 cm)

Francis Perigal was Master of the Clockmaker’s Company in 1805. Watchmaker to the King, he worked at Royal Exchange and later New Bond Street.

The quality of the case and the feature of the moulded hood door on this clock indicate it was made by the same cabinet maker who supplied cases to Vulliamy, often attributed to Ann Rich, and considered the finest cases of the period.