Thomas Mudge & William Dutton, London No. 72 SOLD

Clockmaker: Thomas Mudge, London

SOLD

A fine and remarkably original George III mahogany longcase clock. Circa 1775

Elegant figured mahogany break arch case with fine mouldings and a bolection moulded hood door flanked by stop fluted, reeded and canted corners. Surmounted by a brass ball finial on a four sided concave pedestal. The break arch trunk door with flame veneers matching the raised panel to the base with double plinth.

12 inch break arch brass dial with subsidiary strike - silent dial to the arch flanked by pierced foliate double screwed spandrels. Silvered chapter dial with Roman and Arabic numerals and large subsidiary seconds dial signed Thos. Mudge Willm. Dutton London above the calendar aperture. Blued steel hands. The substantial eight day movement with thick plates, frontplate stamped B and numbered 72. Five large baluster pillars, anchor escapement with long steel crutch and large backcock for the steel-rod pendulum with T-bar suspension and heavy lenticular brass-faced bob. Striking the hours on a bell.

Original brass case weights, original pulleys and winding key.

Height 7ft 2 ins (218 cm)

Thomas Mudge and William Dutton both served their apprenticeships under the famous George Graham, partner to Thomas Tompion. In circa 1765 Mudge and Dutton became partners at 148 Fleet Street, London. Thomas Mudge developed the Lever Escapement for use in watches and is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential watch and clock makers of the period. In 1770, William Dutton carried on the business in London when Thomas Mudge moved to Plymouth for health reasons and to concentrate on his chronometer project. William Dutton and Thomas Mudge both died in 1794.