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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

Lancashire Longcase Clock by Thomas Ashton

Partially verified

This longcase clock is attributed to the British clockmaker Thomas Ashton, who was active in Macclesfield between 1760 and 1795. The object features a cabinet constructed from oak, incorporating crossbanding details in mahogany. The hood is accented with dentil moulding, slender pillars, and a glass panel decorated using the Verre églomisé technique, displaying gilded acanthus or scroll motifs against a blue ground. The trunk of the clock is supported by a panelled base and features fluted quarter columns. The brass dial, measuring 12 inches, includes gilt-cast corner spandrels and a silvered chapter ring displaying Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes. The center of the dial contains an aperture for the date, a small seconds sub-dial, and an engraved signature reading 'Ashton Macclesfield'. The movement has undergone restoration.

Front view of the Lancashire longcase clock showing the hood, brass dial, and trunk.
Front view of the Lancashire longcase clock showing the hood, brass dial, and trunk. — It's About Time (The Clock & Watch Shop). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
Thomas Ashton of Macclesfield
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1760–1795
Source-reported place
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

Case and Exterior

The clock is housed in a longcase cabinet constructed primarily from oak. The design features contrasting crossbanding elements executed in mahogany, which are present along the hood and door margins. The hood section is defined by dentil moulding along the upper edge and is supported by slender pillars.

A notable decorative element of the hood is the Verre églomisé glass insert located at the top, which utilizes reverse glass painting to display gilded ornamentation against a blue backdrop. The trunk is further detailed with quarter columns and concludes in a panelled base, equipped with a traditional brass keyhole escutcheon.

Evidence for this section
  • “کابینت و قاب ساعت از چوب بلوط با نواردوزی و حاشیه‌کاری متضاد از جنس چوب ماهون (Mahogany crossbanding) ساخته شده است”
  • “بخش تاج یا کلاهک ساعت (Hood) دارای ستون‌های ظریف و گچ‌بری دندانه‌موشی (Dentil moulding) در لبه بالایی بوده”
  • “در قسمت فوقانی قاب کلاهک، یک نوار شیشه‌ای با تکنیک نقاشی معکوس پشت شیشه موسوم به Verre églomisé با نقوش اسلیمی زرین بر زمینه آبی کار شده است”

Dial and Indication

The square dial is manufactured from brass and measures 12 inches in diameter. The corners are enriched with gilt-cast spandrels, providing a contrast to the metal face. The time is read from a silvered chapter ring, which utilizes Roman numerals for the hour progression and Arabic numerals for the minutes.

The central portion of the dial is engraved and features a small seconds sub-dial, an aperture to display the calendar date, and the maker's signature, 'Ashton Macclesfield'.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه ساعت مربعی و از جنس برنج به قطر کامل ۱۲ اینچ است”
  • “در گوشه‌های صفحه، گوشه‌نماهای زراندود ریخته‌گری‌شده (Gilt spandrels) به کار رفته”
  • “بخش مرکزی صفحه دارای حکاکی‌های ظریف، نمایشگر ثانیه‌شمار کوچک، روزنه‌نمای تقویم و امضای سازنده با عنوان Ashton Macclesfield می‌باشد”

Condition and Attribution

The source attributes the construction of the clock to Thomas Ashton, a maker active in the late 18th century. His professional record is cited in the reference work by G.H. Baillie. The auction description reports that the clock has been fully restored.

As the clock is an antique mechanical object, the source advises that collectors conduct an independent assessment regarding the authenticity of the wooden joints, the integrity of the dial and pendulum, the matching status of the weights, and the originality of the gear train.

Evidence for this section
  • “نام او در کتاب مرجع ساعت‌سازان جهان اثر جی. اچ. بیلی (Clock and Watchmakers of the World نوشته G.H.Baillie) به ثبت رسیده است”
  • “ساعت به‌طور کامل مرمت شده (Fully restored)”
  • “به خریداران و مجموعه‌داران پیشنهاد می‌شود اصالت اتصالات چوب، یکپارچگی صفحه و پاندول، تطابق وزنه‌ها و عدم تعویض چرخ‌دنده‌های اساسی موتور را به صورت مستقل ارزیابی نمایند”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific provenance or history of ownership for this clock prior to its current restoration?
  • Are there any identifying marks on the movement plates that confirm the attribution to Thomas Ashton?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lancashire Longcase Clock by Thomas Ashton
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerThomas Ashton of Macclesfield“به دستان ساعت‌ساز بریتانیایی، Thomas Ashton در منطقه مکلسفیلد (Macclesfield) ساخته شده است”
Period1760–1795“این سازنده در بازه سال‌های ۱۷۶۰ تا ۱۷۹۵ میلادی فعالیت داشته”
Cabinet materialsOak and mahogany“کابینت و قاب ساعت از چوب بلوط با نواردوزی و حاشیه‌کاری متضاد از جنس چوب ماهون (Mahogany crossbanding) ساخته شده است”
Dial size12 inches“صفحه ساعت مربعی و از جنس برنج به قطر کامل ۱۲ اینچ است”
Hood decorationVerre églomisé glass“در قسمت فوقانی قاب کلاهک، یک نوار شیشه‌ای با تکنیک نقاشی معکوس پشت شیشه موسوم به Verre églomisé با نقوش اسلیمی زرین بر زمینه آبی کار شده است”
Restoration statusFully restored“ساعت به‌طور کامل مرمت شده (Fully restored)”

Visible details

  • Silvered chapter ring features Roman hour markers and Arabic minute markers
  • The hood top includes a blue glass panel with gilded scrollwork decoration
  • The trunk door features a traditional brass key escutcheon
  • Engraved signature on the central dial reads 'Ashton Macclesfield'

Research qualifications

  • Integrity of wood joints, dial and pendulum, and weight matching are not verified
  • The extent of original versus replaced gear components within the movement is unverified

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

Consulted source

Thomas Ashton of Macclesfield

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record a8b5e20308

Terms in this record

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

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