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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Hooded wall clock

George Clarke mid-18th century lacquered hooded wall clock

Partially verified

This mid-18th-century lacquered hooded wall clock is signed by George Clarke of Leadenhall Street, London. The case features a pagoda-shaped hood surmounted by three urn-form finials, decorated with painted floral sprigs, garlands, and red and green borders with gilt door details. The three-inch arched brass dial incorporates a silvered signature plaque flanked by floral spandrels, set above a silvered chapter ring engraved with numerals for the Turkish market, surrounding a matted center with scroll corner spandrels. The source reports a weight-driven plated movement with four knopped and turned pillars, a verge escapement, and an outside countwheel bell strike.

Mid-18th-century lacquered hooded wall clock by George Clarke, Leadenhall Street, London
Mid-18th-century lacquered hooded wall clock by George Clarke, Leadenhall Street, London — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Hooded wall clock
Maker / attribution
George Clarke
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
125
Source-reported date
mid 18th century
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

Case Form and Decorative Scheme

The clock is housed in an 11-inch (28 cm) tall hooded case surmounted by a pagoda-form cresting. This upper section carries three urn-shaped finials positioned at the top and flanking the upper corners. The case surfaces are decorated with painted floral sprigs, running garlands, and red and green borders, accompanied by giltwork around the door surround.

The case structure terminates at the base in a shaped wall bracket, from beneath which suspension cords hang in visible observations.

Evidence for this section
  • “the pagoda shaped hood surmounted by three urn shaped finials and decorated all over with delicate floral sprigs and running garlands”
  • “red and green borders and giltwork to the door surround”
  • “28cms. (11ins.) high”

Dial and Inscriptions

The dial consists of a three-inch arched brass plate. In the arch, a silvered plaque is inscribed 'Geo Clarke / Leadenhall / Street London', flanked by floral spandrels. Below the arch, a silvered chapter ring is engraved for the Turkish market with Eastern Arabic/Ottoman numerals.

The chapter ring frames a textured matted centre, with scroll spandrels set in the lower corners of the dial plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “the three inch arched brass dial signed in a silvered plaque in the arch flanked by floral spandrels over a silvered chapter ring engraved for the Turkish market”
  • “with matted centre and scroll spandrels”
  • “The arched dial features an engraved silvered signature plaque inscribed 'Geo Clarke / Leadenhall / Street London'.”

Reported Movement and Evidentiary Boundaries

The auction lot text reports a weight-driven plated movement constructed with four knopped and turned pillars and a verge escapement, featuring an outside countwheel strike on a bell. The lot also included a brass-covered weight.

Because only the exterior front of the clock is pictured, the internal movement plates, pillars, escapement, bell-striking train, and brass-covered weight are not visually documented in the photograph. Mechanical completeness and operational condition are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “the weight driven plated movement with four knopped and turned pillars and verge escapement with outside countwheel strike on a bell”
  • “together with a brass covered weight”
  • “Multiple suspension lines hang beneath the shaped wall bracket, while the weight itself is not pictured.”

Open research questions

  • Does direct physical inspection of the movement confirm the reported verge escapement, four knopped pillars, and countwheel strike mechanism?
  • Are there any secondary inscriptions, repair marks, or maker stamps on the reverse of the dial or movement plates?
  • What is the preservation state and chemical composition of the lacquer, painted floral sprigs, and gilding on the hood and bracket?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Clarke mid-18th century lacquered hooded wall clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and LocationGeorge Clarke, Leadenhall Street, London“George Clarke, Leadenhall Street, London”
Case DesignPagoda-shaped hood with three urn finials and floral lacquer decoration“the pagoda shaped hood surmounted by three urn shaped finials and decorated all over with delicate floral sprigs and running garlands”
Dial DescriptionThree-inch arched brass dial with Turkish market chapter ring“the three inch arched brass dial signed in a silvered plaque in the arch flanked by floral spandrels over a silvered chapter ring engraved for the Turkish market”
MovementWeight-driven plated movement with verge escapement and knopped pillars“the weight driven plated movement with four knopped and turned pillars and verge escapement with outside countwheel strike on a bell”
Height28 cm (11 inches)“28cms. (11ins.) high”
Included AccessoryBrass-covered weight“together with a brass covered weight”
Sale Price£5,280 including premium“Sold for £5,280 inc. premium”
Auction Date14 June 2005“Fine Clocks 14 June 2005, 14:00 BST”

Visible details

  • Three turned finials surmount the pagoda hood and flank the upper corners.
  • The arched dial features an engraved silvered signature plaque inscribed 'Geo Clarke / Leadenhall / Street London'.
  • The chapter ring displays Eastern Arabic/Ottoman numerals surrounding a textured matted center.
  • Multiple suspension lines hang beneath the shaped wall bracket, while the weight itself is not pictured.

Research qualifications

  • The weight-driven movement, knopped pillars, escapement, and striking mechanism are housed internally and not shown.
  • The brass-covered weight cited in the source text is omitted from the photograph.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : A fine and rare mid 18th century lacquered hooded wall clock George Clarke, Leadenhall Street, London

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f784fa37a5

Terms in this record

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

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