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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

George III mahogany longcase clock by Thomas Read

Partially verified

This George III mahogany longcase clock is attributed to Thomas Read of Manchester, measuring 242 cm high. The case features stringing, marquetry with flower urns, scrolling leaves, and oval paterae, supported by bracket feet and crowned with a broken swan-neck pediment on the hood. The arched dial features four season spandrels, a pastoral scene with a shepherd and young lady, subsidiary seconds and date dials, and an aperture displaying a moon phase in the arch. The source reports an eight-day, four-pillar movement equipped with an anchor escapement and striking on a bell.

Front full-length view of the George III mahogany longcase clock
Front full-length view of the George III mahogany longcase clock — Woolley and Wallis. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
Thomas Read
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
212
Source-reported date
George III
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

The mahogany case measures 242 cm in height. The hood features a broken swan-neck pediment.

The case is decorated with stringing and marquetry including urns of flowers, scrolling leaves, and oval paterae. The trunk door is described as having a lancet arch profile, and the base is supported by bracket feet.

Evidence for this section
  • “the hood with a broken swan neck pediment, the case inlaid with stringing and marquetry with urns of flowers, scrolling leaves and oval paterae with a lancet arch door on bracket feet”
  • “242cm high”
  • “Mahogany trunk door features a pointed gothic lancet arch profile with figured veneer”

Dial and Ornamentation

The dial is a painted enamel arched type. The center of the dial depicts a shepherd and a young lady, and it includes subsidiary seconds and date dials.

The spandrels are decorated with figures representing the four seasons. The arch contains a moon phase, observed to show a face and hemisphere charts.

Evidence for this section
  • “the painted enamel arched dial decorated with figures and four season spandrels, the centre with a shepherd and a young lady, with subsidiary seconds and date dials”
  • “Arched dial with painted moon phase disc showing a face and hemisphere charts in the arch aperture”
  • “Spandrels painted with female allegorical figures representing the four seasons”

Mechanical Specifications and Attribution

The clock is signed 'Thos Read MANCHESTER' on the dial. The movement is an eight-day, four-pillar type with an anchor escapement that strikes on a bell.

The clock is associated with the George III period.

Evidence for this section
  • “signed 'Thos Read MANCHESTER'”
  • “the eight day four pillar movement with an anchor escapement and striking on a bell”
  • “A George III mahogany longcase clock”

Open research questions

  • Does the internal movement bear the same signature as the dial?
  • What is the condition of the internal mechanism, given it is not pictured in the source?
  • Are there marks on the back or sides of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George III mahogany longcase clock by Thomas Read
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignatureThos Read MANCHESTER“signed 'Thos Read MANCHESTER'”
Movement SpecificationsEight-day four-pillar movement with anchor escapement striking on a bell“eight day four pillar movement with an anchor escapement and striking on a bell”
Dial FeaturesPainted enamel arched dial with figures, four season spandrels, pastoral scene, subsidiary dials, and moon phase“the painted enamel arched dial decorated with figures and four season spandrels, the centre with a shepherd and a young lady, with subsidiary seconds and date dials, signed 'Thos Read MANCHESTER', the arch with a moon phase”
Case DesignBroken swan neck pediment, stringing and marquetry with urns, leaves, oval paterae, lancet arch door, and bracket feet“the hood with a broken swan neck pediment, the case inlaid with stringing and marquetry with urns of flowers, scrolling leaves and oval paterae with a lancet arch door on bracket feet”
Dimensions242cm high“242cm high”
Height242 cm“242cm high”

Visible details

  • Arched dial with painted moon phase disc showing a face and hemisphere charts in the arch aperture
  • Spandrels painted with female allegorical figures representing the four seasons
  • Mahogany trunk door features a pointed gothic lancet arch profile with figured veneer

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, weights, pendulum, and bell are not pictured
  • Case back and side profiles are not shown

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

Consulted source

A george iii mahogany longcase clock by thomas read of manchester | Woolley and Wallis

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 443cabfe91

Terms in this record

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

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