Description / Expertise
The Dial: A 14” broken arch dial with finely patinated baroque spandrels in the manner of Sir James Thornhill, centred on a strapwork framed grotesque. The chapter ring signed ‘William Beyer, London’ and dated 1718, all in gothic script, with small square to the left of XII to adjust the calendar work with the forward end of the original key. The matted centre with ringed winding holes and aperture beneath engraved with the day of the week together with its corresponding deity. The left hand subsidiary lunar dial with moon-phase, high tide at London Bridge and age of the moon, the right hand solar dial having shutters which rise and fall throughout the year to show the varying lengths of day and night, together with the suns position in the Zodiac. The central annual calendar dial in the arch detailing sunrise and sunset, astrological solar calendar in September 1752 and equation of time to the outside of the disk. Having a perpetual flyback calendar above. The day of the month is indicated around the outer semi circle in the arch by flyback mechanism which takes into account the varying number of days in each month including leap years.
The Movement: The substantial eight day six pillar fully restored movement with shaped plates, inverted anchor escapement and rack striking on a bell with internal click work to both barrels and unusually low escapement to accommodate the early centre seconds work. The complicated calendar work mostly between the dial and front plate, having a massive annual wheel mirrored by the flyback counterbalance to the rear.
The Case: The ebonised pearwood case of high quality having a caddy top above fine fretwork to both front and sides of the hood above free standing brass mounted columns to the front, and half pilasters to the sides, in between which side doors to access the movement. The trunk door with lacquered brass lenticle, and astragal mounted sides and base, all on a double plinth.
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