Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Bracket clock

Georgian Bracket Clock by John Taylor

Partially verified

This 18th-century English Georgian bracket clock is attributed by Bonhams Skinner to John Taylor, London. The wooden case features a bell top with four finials and a hinged brass bale handle, accented with gilt figural mounts at the front corners. Visible through the arched glass door is a polychrome enameled automaton scene situated above a brass and floral enameled dial. The dial includes Roman numeral hour markings, pierced hands, and two subsidiary circular registers. Measuring 18 1/4 inches in height, the clock was catalogued from a Newport, Rhode Island estate.

Front view of the 18th-century Georgian bracket clock attributed to John Taylor, London
Front view of the 18th-century Georgian bracket clock attributed to John Taylor, London — Bonhams Skinner. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Bracket clock
Maker / attribution
John Taylor
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
140
Source-reported date
18th century
Country
England

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 bracket clock is attributed to the maker John Taylor of London and is dated to the 18th century. The object was catalogued from a Newport, Rhode Island estate.

The identification relies on the attribution provided by the auction house. No specific horological references or maker's marks are cited in the provided source to substantiate the connection to John Taylor.

Evidence for this section
  • “John Taylor, London”
  • “England, 18th century”
  • “From a Newport Rhode Island estate.”

Case Construction

The clock is housed in a wooden case featuring a stepped bell-top design. The top is surmounted by a hinged brass bale handle, flanked by four corner finials.

Ornamentation includes gilt-metal figural or herm mounts situated at the front upper corners of the door frame. The glazed front door also features pierced spandrel fretwork in its upper corners.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stepped bell-top wooden case surmounted by a hinged brass bale handle and corner finials.”
  • “Gilt-metal figural or herm mounts flank the upper sides of the front arched door frame.”
  • “Pierced spandrel fretwork visible in the upper corners of the glazed front door.”

Dial and Automaton

The clock dial assembly consists of a brass chapter ring marked with Roman numerals, surrounding a central floral enameled section that incorporates two subsidiary dials.

Located in the arch above the chapter ring is a polychrome enameled automaton scene depicting landscape figures. The source description identifies this as an 'atomaton'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brass chapter ring with Roman numerals surrounds a floral enameled dial center containing two subsidiary dials.”
  • “polychrome enameled atomaton above a brass and floral enameled dial”

Open research questions

  • Does the internal movement bear a signature or identifying mark consistent with 18th-century London makers?
  • What is the operational state of the automaton mechanism?
  • Are there stylistic inconsistencies between the case mounts and the dial?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Georgian Bracket Clock by John Taylor
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker attributionJohn Taylor, London“John Taylor, London”
Date and originEngland, 18th century“England, 18th century”
AutomatonPolychrome enameled automaton“with polychrome enameled atomaton”
Dial descriptionBrass and floral enameled dial“above a brass and floral enameled dial”
Height18 1/4 inches“ht. 18 1/4”
HandleBale handle“with bale handle”
ProvenanceFrom a Newport Rhode Island estate“From a Newport Rhode Island estate.”

Visible details

  • Stepped bell-top wooden case surmounted by a hinged brass bale handle and corner finials.
  • Gilt-metal figural or herm mounts flank the upper sides of the front arched door frame.
  • Pierced spandrel fretwork visible in the upper corners of the glazed front door.
  • Polychrome enameled automaton scene depicting figures in a landscape located in the arch above the chapter ring.
  • Brass chapter ring with Roman numerals surrounds a floral enameled dial center containing two subsidiary dials.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, escapement, backplate, and striking train details are neither described nor pictured.
  • The source catalogue text contains a typo ('atomaton' for 'automaton').

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

Consulted source

Bonhams Skinner : Georgian Bracket Clock, England, 18th century,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 7a425d1ddb

Terms in this record

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

Other bracket clock records