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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

George III mahogany eight-day longcase clock with moonphase

Partially verified

This George III longcase clock, dating to circa 1770 and signed by Thomas Bullock of Bath, features an eight-day, four-pillar movement with rack and bell striking alongside an anchor escapement regulated by a seconds pendulum. Its 12-inch brass break-arch dial incorporates corner rococo spandrels, a subsidiary seconds dial, an arched calendar aperture, and an engraved coastal scene depicting a square-rigged ship passing a lighthouse. The arch displays a rolling moonphase mechanism inscribed for the moon's age. The mahogany case is fitted with geometric key moulding on the hood cornice, three-quarter columns, a shaped trunk door, and integral bracket feet on the plinth base.

Full view of the George III mahogany longcase clock by Thomas Bullock
Full view of the George III mahogany longcase clock by Thomas Bullock — Dreweatts 1759. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.the-saleroom.com
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
Thomas Bullock
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
134
Source-reported date
circa 1770
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

Movement and Mechanism

The clock operates on an eight-day, four-pillar movement with rack and bell striking. It features an anchor escapement regulated by a seconds pendulum. The movement retains its original seatboard, which rests on the case's cheek uprights.

The arch features a rolling moonphase mechanism with lunettes depicting terrestrial and celestial globes, set beneath a curved scale calibrated for the moon's age. The moon disc has undergone past re-touching and is connected to the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “The four pillar rack and bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum”
  • “The movement retains its original seatboard which rests on the cheek uprights of the case at the correct level.”
  • “rolling moonphase incorporating terrestrial and celestial globe decorated lunettes beneath leafy scroll engraved curved scale calibrated for THE, MOONS, AGE”
  • “The moon disc is in good condition having had some re-touching done in the past; it is connected to the movement hence is operational.”

Dial Composition

The clock has a 12-inch brass break-arch dial with a subsidiary seconds dial and a shaped calendar aperture. The central area is engraved with a coastal scene showing a square-rigged ship passing a lighthouse. The lower margin is signed 'Tho's, Bullock, BA,TH'.

The dial features an applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with an outer minute track and Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals. The corners are decorated with rococo scroll cast spandrels.

Evidence for this section
  • “the 12 inch brass break-arch dial with subsidiary seconds dial and unusual shaped arched calendar aperture to the coastal view engraved centre depicting a square-rigged ship passing a lighthouse”
  • “signed Tho's, Bullock, BA,TH to lower margin”
  • “applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes beyond the outer minute track”
  • “rococo scroll cast spandrels to angles”

Case Construction and Condition

The mahogany case features an ogee geometric key moulded cornice, a break-arch glazed hinged front, and three-quarter columns. The sides include small rectangular windows and quarter columns applied against rear bargeboards. The trunk has a concave throat moulding above a caddy-moulded door.

Condition issues include a replaced hood top board, a full-length crack in the trunk door, a replaced lock, and veneer patches and cracks on the plinth base. The hour hand is a replacement and the minute hand has been repaired.

Evidence for this section
  • “the case with ogee geometric key moulded cornice over break-arch glazed hinged front applied with three-quarter columns to front angles, the sides with small rectangular windows and quarter columns applied against bargeboards at the rear”
  • “The top board to the hood has been replaced and the trunk door has a crack running from top to bottom”
  • “The trunk door retains its original hinges, the lock is a replacement.”
  • “The front lower left hand corner of the plinth bas has a veneer patch repair and the sides have horizontal veneer cracks.”
  • “The hour hand is a well-made replacement and the minute hand has been repaired.”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the 'unusual shaped' calendar aperture in the context of Thomas Bullock's known works?
  • Does the 'textbook' Bristol/Bath attribution imply a specific stylistic regionalism in the case construction?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George III mahogany eight-day longcase clock with moonphase
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and OriginThomas Bullock, Bath“THOMAS BULLOCK, BATH, CIRCA 1770”
Movement SpecificationFour-pillar rack and bell striking with anchor escapement“The four pillar rack and bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum”
Dial Size and Design12-inch brass break-arch dial“the 12 inch brass break-arch dial with subsidiary seconds dial and unusual shaped arched calendar aperture”
Dial EngravingEngraved coastal scene with ship and lighthouse“coastal view engraved centre depicting a square-rigged ship passing a lighthouse”
Case Dimensions216 cm high, 51 cm wide, 25.5 cm deep“216cm (85ins) high, 51cm (20ins) wide, 25.5cm (10ins) deep.”
Dimensions216 cm high, 51 cm wide, 25.5 cm deep“216cm (85ins) high, 51cm (20ins) wide, 25.5cm (10ins) deep.”
Included AccessoriesPendulum, two lead weights, case key; no winder“Clock has pendulum, two lead weights, a case key but no winder.”

Visible details

  • Full-length mahogany case with an arched hood supported by side columns and resting on a plinth base with bracket feet.
  • Arched dial showing a silvered chapter ring, subsidiary seconds, calendar sector, and painted moonphase in the arch.
  • Rococo scroll spandrels at the corners of the brass dial plate.

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the hour hand is a replacement and the minute hand has been repaired.
  • Source notes a crack running from top to bottom on the trunk door and a replaced hood top board.
  • Clock is sold without a winder.

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

Consulted source

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY EIGHT-DAY LONGCASE CLOCK WITH MOONPHASETHOMAS BULLOCK, BATH, CIRCA 1770The

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 32c46e0bed

Terms in this record

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

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