Thomas Mudge & William Dutton No. 183

Clockmaker: Thomas Mudge, London

SOLD

Fine George III mahogany spring clock. Circa 1787

Case

Elegant proportioned mahogany break arch case having three raised pads with concave mouldings to the break arch case with brass carrying handle, arched glazed side panels within moulded frames. The breakarch door with moulded frame dial aperture, the base on mahogany moulded block feet.

Dial

7 inch one piece silvered break arch dial with subsidiary regulation dial calibrated 0-15 to the arch. Strike/silent selector above XII, pendulum aperture below and a calendar aperture above VI. The centre of the dial signed Thos. Mudge Willm Dutton, London. Blued steel hands.

Movement

The numbered movement with thick plates and five large baluster pillars. Anchor escapement with original pendulum having a heavy brass faced bob is suspended from the pivoted regulation platform mounted on top of the plates. The plain backplate is signed Thos. Mudge Willm. Dutton London with a hinged pendulum holdfast below. Striking the hours on a bell.

Height. 15 inches (38 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.