Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

George III mahogany longcase clock by John Wyke

Partially verified

This George III mahogany longcase clock is attributed by the auctioneer to John Wyke of Liverpool and dated to circa 1770–80. The source reports an eight-day, four-pillar brass movement featuring an anchor escapement and striking on a bell. The brass dial is fitted with angel-head foliate spandrels, a silvered chapter ring with Roman hours and Arabic five-minute markers, a matted centre with subsidiary seconds, and a date aperture. The arch is inscribed 'JOHN WYKE LIVERPOOL' over a painted rolling moonphase display. The Gillows-style mahogany case features an arched hood with fluted columns and blue-and-gilt glass panels, measuring 221 cm high.

Hood and dial of the George III mahogany longcase clock by John Wyke
Hood and dial of the George III mahogany longcase clock by John Wyke — Woolley & Wallis. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.the-saleroom.com
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
John Wyke
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
241
Source-reported date
c.1770-80
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

Identity and Attribution

This longcase clock is described as a George III mahogany longcase clock by John Wyke of Liverpool, with an attributed date of circa 1770–1780. The identification is based on the inscription found on the dial.

The clock is presented as an eight-day, four-pillar brass movement. The auction description notes the inclusion of two weights and a pendulum.

Evidence for this section
  • “A GEORGE III MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCKBY JOHN WYKE, LIVERPOOL, C.1770-80”
  • “beneath an arch inscribed 'JOHN WYKE LIVERPOOL'”
  • “the brass eight day four pillar movement”
  • “with two weights and a pendulum”

Movement and Dial

The movement features an anchor escapement and strikes on a bell. The brass dial includes a silvered chapter ring with black Roman hours and Arabic five-minute markers.

The center is matted and contains a subsidiary seconds dial and a date aperture. The dial is decorated with angel-head and scrolling foliate spandrels, with a painted moonphase display in the arch.

Evidence for this section
  • “the brass eight day four pillar movement with an anchor escapement and striking on a bell”
  • “the brass dial with a silvered chapter ring with black Roman hours and Arabic five minutes”
  • “the matted centre with a subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture inside angel head and scrolling foliate spandrels”
  • “beneath an arch inscribed 'JOHN WYKE LIVERPOOL' above a painted moonphase with the age of the moon”

Case Construction

The mahogany case is described in the Gillows style. It features an arched hood with fluted columns and blue-and-gilt glass panels.

The trunk contains a shaped door flanked by quarter columns, which stands above a panelled base. The total height is stated to be 221 cm.

Evidence for this section
  • “the Gillows style case with an arched hood with blue and gilt glass panels and fluted columns”
  • “on a trunk with a shaped door flanked by quarter columns above a panelled base”
  • “221cm high”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific material and condition of the blue-and-gilt panels?
  • Does the 'Gillows style' attribution represent a maker-mark or a stylistic classification?
  • What is the current mechanical functionality of the movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George III mahogany longcase clock by John Wyke
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJohn Wyke, Liverpool“BY JOHN WYKE, LIVERPOOL, C.1770-80”
MovementBrass eight-day four-pillar movement with anchor escapement striking on a bell“the brass eight day four pillar movement with an anchor escapement and striking on a bell”
Dial FeaturesSilvered chapter ring, subsidiary seconds, date aperture, and painted moonphase“the matted centre with a subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture inside angel head and scrolling foliate spandrels, beneath an arch inscribed 'JOHN WYKE LIVERPOOL' above a painted moonphase”
Case StyleGillows style mahogany case with blue and gilt glass panels“the Gillows style case with an arched hood with blue and gilt glass panels and fluted columns”
Height221 cm“221cm high”

Visible details

  • Swan-neck pediment with carved rosettes and an inset blue-and-gilt decorated glass panel visible on the upper right.
  • Fluted hood columns with metal capitals flanking the glazed dial door.
  • Brass dial showing spandrels, subsidiary seconds track, date window, and rolling moon disc in the arch.

Research qualifications

  • Movement interior, weights, pendulum, and lower trunk base are not shown in the provided photograph.
  • The left spandrel glass panel beneath the pediment appears damaged, dark, or absent relative to the right panel.

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

Consulted source

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCKBY JOHN WYKE, LIVERPOOL, C.1770-80the brass eight day four pi

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 73592fd26e

Terms in this record

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

Other longcase clock records