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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

Longcase clock by Samuel Fish

Partially verified

This longcase clock is attributed to the London maker Samuel Fish and dates to circa 1770. It features a mahogany case with flame veneers on the trunk door and base panel, further detailed with mahogany mouldings. The trunk displays canted corners equipped with brass-inlaid, capped reeded columns, while the pagoda-style hood is topped with three brass finials and features brass-capped reeded columns at the front and brass-capped columns at the rear. The brass dial is adorned with cast spandrels, a matted center, a date aperture located above the 6 o'clock position, and a recessed seconds dial. A strike/silent subsidiary dial is positioned above the 12 o'clock mark. The eight-day movement utilizes five knopped pillars and strikes the hours on a large bell. The clock includes a brass pendulum bob and two brass-cased weights, with one weight noted as having sustained loss to its brass casting.

Longcase clock in mahogany case with brass dial and pagoda hood.
Longcase clock in mahogany case with brass dial and pagoda hood. — Dorset Antique Clocks. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.dorsetantiqueclocks.co.uk
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
Samuel Fish
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1770
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 Construction

The clock is housed in a mahogany case featuring flame veneer panels on both the trunk door and the base. The trunk section incorporates canted corners, which are decorated with brass-inlaid and capped reeded columns, set upon a double-footed plinth.

The pagoda-shaped hood includes brass reeded, capped columns at the front and brass-capped columns at the rear. The assembly is surmounted by three brass finials and includes a lateral glass aperture intended for viewing the internal mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “The fine quality mahogany case has well chosen flame veneers to the trunk door and to the base panel, both surmounted by strong mahogany mouldings.”
  • “The pagoda hood has brass reeded and capped columns at the front and brass capped columns at the rear with a glass aperture at the side for viewing the movement.”

Dial and Indication

The brass dial is decorated with cast spandrels and a matted center. It displays a silvered chapter ring and a recessed seconds dial. A signature plaque explicitly attributes the work to Samuel Fish of London.

Additional functionality is provided by a date aperture positioned above the 6 o'clock marker, alongside a strike/silent subsidiary dial situated in the arch above the 12 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “The brass dial has nicely cast spandrels and well matted centre with a date aperture above 6 o’clock, a signature plaque signed “Samuel Fish, London” and a recessed seconds dial.”
  • “Above 12 o’clock there is a strike/silent subsidiary dial.”

Movement and Condition

The movement is an eight-day, five-knopped pillar design. The striking train utilizes a large bell mounted above the movement. The clock is accompanied by two brass-cased weights and a brass pendulum bob.

The auction description reports that one of the brass-cased weights has lost the majority of its exterior brass casting.

Evidence for this section
  • “The eight day five knopped pillar movement is of fine quality with nicely shaped steel work.”
  • “The clock has a brass pendulum bob and two brass cased weights, although one of them has lost most of its brass casting.”
  • “Serviced and guaranteed for 3 years.”

Open research questions

  • What is the established apprenticeship or historical workshop location for Samuel Fish in London?
  • Are the brass-inlaid columns and finials confirmed to be original to the late 18th-century construction of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longcase clock by Samuel Fish
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSamuel Fish“signature plaque signed “Samuel Fish, London””
MovementEight-day, five knopped pillar“The eight day five knopped pillar movement is of fine quality”
Datecirca 1770“CIRCA. 1770”
Case materialMahogany with flame veneers“The fine quality mahogany case has well chosen flame veneers to the trunk door and to the base panel”
Height267cm“Height: 105″ or 267cm”
StrikeStrikes on a bell“It strikes the hours on a large bell mounted above the movement.”

Visible details

  • Strike/silent subsidiary dial in the arch
  • Brass finials on pagoda hood
  • Canted corners with reeded columns
  • Date aperture above 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • One brass-cased weight is missing most of its casting
  • Provenance limited to a private UK collection

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

Consulted source

FINE LONDON MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCK – SAMUEL FISH – LONDON

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record e9eb820f6c

Terms in this record

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

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