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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Dial wall timepiece

A George III Mahogany Verge Fusee Dial Wall Timepiece, Saddleton, King's Lynne

Partially verified

This George III dial wall timepiece is signed 'SADDLETON, LYNNE' on a 12-inch circular single-sheet silvered brass dial. The dial features Roman numerals, an outer minute track with Arabic five-minute markers, and pierced steel hands behind a heavy hinged glazed cast brass cavetto-moulded bezel set into a slender mahogany surround. According to the auctioneer, the rear salt-box case houses a single fusee movement with A-shaped plates, four knopped pillars, and a verge escapement regulated by a short bob pendulum, complemented by a shaped inverted break-arch extension below.

George III mahogany verge fusee dial wall timepiece signed Saddleton, Lynne
George III mahogany verge fusee dial wall timepiece signed Saddleton, Lynne — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.dreweatts.com
Category
Clock · Dial wall timepiece
Maker / attribution
Saddleton
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
708
Source-reported date
circa 1800
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Exterior Construction

The timepiece features a 12-inch circular single-sheet silvered brass dial, which is signed "SADDLETON, LYNNE" at the center. It displays Roman numeral hour chapters and an outer minute track with Arabic five-minute indicators.

The dial is set behind a heavy, hinged, glazed cast brass cavetto-moulded bezel, which is applied to a slender cavetto-moulded wooden surround.

Evidence for this section
  • “the 12 inch circular single sheet silvered brass Roman numeraldial signed SADDLETON, LYNNE to centre and with Arabic five minutesbeyond the outer minute track”
  • “heavyhinged glazed cast brass cavetto moulded bezel applied to slender cavetto mouldedwooden surround”

Mechanism and Case

According to the source, the clock contains a single fusee movement featuring A-shaped plates and four knopped pillars. It is regulated by a verge escapement and a short bob pendulum.

The rear of the clock features an integral 'salt box' type case, which incorporates a door on the right-hand side, a pendulum access flap on the underside, and a shaped inverted break-arch extension to the backboard.

Evidence for this section
  • “The four knopped pillar singlefusee movement with A-shaped plates and verge escapement regulated by a shortbob pendulum”
  • “the integral rear ‘salt box’ type case incorporating a door toright-hand side and pendulum access flap to the underside set in front of a shapedinverted break-arch extension to the backboard”

Maker Attribution and Dating

The auctioneer notes that a James P. Saddleton is recorded in "Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume 2" by Brian Loomes as working in King’s Lynne between 1830 and 1836.

The source suggests that the timepiece can be stylistically dated to circa 1800, proposing that it was either made earlier in that maker's career or by an unrecorded predecessor.

Evidence for this section
  • “A James P. Saddleton isrecorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume2 as working in King’s Lynne 1830-36.”
  • “the present lot can bestylistically dated to around 1800”

Open research questions

  • Are there records of clockmakers surnamed Saddleton working in King's Lynn prior to 1830?
  • Does the 'salt-box' case design provide reliable evidence for a circa 1800 origin?
  • What is the prevalence of A-shaped plates in fusee wall timepieces from this region and period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A George III Mahogany Verge Fusee Dial Wall Timepiece, Saddleton, King's Lynne
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial SignatureSADDLETON, LYNNE“signed SADDLETON, LYNNE to centre”
EscapementVerge escapement with short bob pendulum“verge escapement regulated by a shortbob pendulum”
Movement PillarsFour knopped pillars“four knopped pillar singlefusee movement”
Plate StyleA-shaped plates“A-shaped plates”
Dimensions43 cm high, 38 cm wide, 15 cm deep“43cm (17ins) high, 38cm (15ins)wide, 15cm (6ins) deep.”
Dimensions43cm high, 38cm wide, 15cm deep“43cm (17ins) high, 38cm (15ins)wide, 15cm (6ins) deep.”

Visible details

  • Circular silvered dial displaying Roman hour chapters and outer Arabic five-minute indicators.
  • Prominent surface patina, streaking, and tarnishing across the silvered brass dial face.
  • Dark pierced steel hands with a central winding aperture below the hand arbor.
  • Heavy cast brass bezel with prominent right-side hinges, surrounded by a moulded mahogany rim.
  • Dark wood inverted break-arch drop extension visible below the bottom rim.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement specifications (A-shaped plates, fusee, knopped pillars, verge escapement) are source-reported and not visible in the photograph.
  • The maker attribution to Saddleton of King's Lynn is source-reported; the cataloguer notes that James P. Saddleton is recorded 1830–36, suggesting this clock may predate his recorded dates or be by an unrecorded predecessor.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY VERGE FUSEE DIAL WALL TIMEPIECE

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record c99f867343

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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