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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Tavern clock

English Tavern / Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens

Partially verified

This English tavern or Act of Parliament wall clock is signed 'Will:m Stevens CIRENCESTER' on the throat of the case. According to the seller, the oak case houses a four-pillar weight-driven movement with a five-wheel train, tapered plates, and an anchor recoil escapement. The 25 1/4-inch diameter three-plank wooden dial features gilt Roman numerals and an outer minute track with Arabic five-minute markers. The slender trunk door is decorated with raised chinoiserie ornament depicting birds, trees, dwellings, and figures. The dealer notes that the hands and weight are replacements.

Front view of the English tavern clock showing the painted circular dial and decorated trunk case
Front view of the English tavern clock showing the painted circular dial and decorated trunk case — M C Taylor Clocks / Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
antiques-atlas.com
Category
Clock · Tavern clock
Maker / attribution
William Stevens
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as1197a003 / AA 14452
Source-reported date
c. 1775
Country
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

Case Construction and Decoration

The clock is housed in an oak case featuring a 25 1/4-inch diameter three-plank dial. The dial includes a concave moulded surround with gilt lining to the edges. Due to age, the dial boards exhibit visible joins from shrinkage.

The case features a slender trunk with ornate 'ears' beneath the dial and a Cavetto design base. The trunk door is decorated with raised chinoiserie ornament depicting a tree, birds, dwellings, and two human figures. Additional floral decoration is present on the sides of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Having a 25 1/4" diameter three-plank dial with a concave moulded surround with gilt lining to the edges.”
  • “The dial boards show their joins because of age shrinkage”
  • “The slender trunk has ornate 'ears' below the dial”
  • “The door has raised chinoiserie decoration depicting a tree and birds over homes and 2 human figures in the oriental style.”
  • “The case bottom is of a large Cavetto design”

Dial and Inscription

The dial displays large Roman numerals for the hours and an outer minute track containing Arabic five-minute indicators. The minute hand is counterpoised.

The maker's name, 'Will(ia)m Stevens (of) CIRENCESTER', is inscribed in a two-line format on the throat of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial has small, outer Arabic 5's, divided minute track with unusually triangled hour points, large inner Roman hour numerals”
  • “matching and shaped brass hands the minute of which being counterpoised.”
  • “The area above this carries the two-line maker's name of "Will(ia)m Stevens (of) CIRENCESTER" in the typical format.”

Movement and Condition

The clock utilizes a four-pillar, weight-driven movement equipped with a five-wheel train, tapered plates, and an anchor recoil escapement. These components are not visible in the provided reference imagery.

The dealer identifies the hands and weight as replacements, noting that the remaining components are original to the period. The backboard retains its cloth backing.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 4 pillar weight driven movement with a 5 wheel train, tapered plates and Anchor Recoil escapement.”
  • “Totally original except for the hands and weight.”
  • “the backboard even retains its cloth backing for protection.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement configuration and train count align with verified examples of William Stevens' work in horological literature?
  • What is the source of the claim that the clock is 'c. 1775' given the dealer's association of the maker with the Clockmakers Company through 1812?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for English Tavern / Act of Parliament Wall Clock by William Stevens
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker InscriptionWill(ia)m Stevens (of) CIRENCESTER“The area above this carries the two-line maker's name of "Will(ia)m Stevens (of) CIRENCESTER" in the typical format.”
Movement Design4 pillar weight driven movement with a 5 wheel train, tapered plates and Anchor Recoil escapement“The 4 pillar weight driven movement with a 5 wheel train, tapered plates and Anchor Recoil escapement.”
Dial Construction25 1/4" diameter three-plank dial“Having a 25 1/4" diameter three-plank dial with a concave moulded surround with gilt lining to the edges.”
Case MaterialOak“Material Oak”
Dimensions29 1/4" wide x 58" high x 7 3/4" deep“Dimensions 29 1/4" wide x 58" high x 7 3/4" deep”
ReplacementsHands and weight“Totally original except for the hands and weight.”
Dimensions29 1/4 inches wide x 58 inches high x 7 3/4 inches deep“Dimensions 29 1/4" wide x 58" high x 7 3/4" deep”
Maker Historical ContextWilliam Stevens was a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1775 until 1812“William Stevens was a clockmaker of Gloucester and Cirencester and was a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1775 until 1812.”

Visible details

  • Large black circular dial with gilt Roman numerals and outer Arabic five-minute markers
  • Gilt inscription reading 'Will:m Stevens CIRENCESTER' on the throat of the case
  • Trunk door painted with chinoiserie figures, dwellings, foliage, and birds in gold tone
  • Elongated pierced brass hands with counterpoise on the minute hand
  • Subtle horizontal joins visible across the dial face indicating multi-plank construction

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the hands and weight are replacements rather than original components
  • Internal movement and weight components are source-reported and not visible in the provided exterior photograph

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - English Tavern /Act Of Parliament Wall Clock as1197a003 / AA 14452

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record d80e26ba7c

Terms in this record

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

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