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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Drop-dial wall timepiece

Thomas Mudge and William Dutton mahogany drop-dial wall timepiece

Partially verified

This mahogany drop-dial wall timepiece is attributed to the London partnership of Thomas Mudge and William Dutton, dating to circa 1770. It features a 14-inch circular silvered dial inscribed 'Thos. Mudge, Willm Dutton, London' beneath the twelve o'clock numeral. The dial layout displays Roman numerals for hours and an outer chapter ring of Arabic numerals for five-minute divisions. The mahogany case is built with a moulded circular bezel, shaped side ears, and a moulded base door. According to the source, the timepiece is powered by an internal fusee movement equipped with five knopped pillars and an anchor escapement, measuring 65 cm (25½ inches) in total height.

Front view of the Thomas Mudge and William Dutton mahogany drop-dial wall timepiece
Front view of the Thomas Mudge and William Dutton mahogany drop-dial wall timepiece — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Clock · Drop-dial wall timepiece
Maker / attribution
Thomas Mudge and William Dutton
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
14
Source-reported date
circa 1770
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

Dial and Inscription

The timepiece features a 14-inch circular silvered dial signed 'Thos. Mudge, Willm Dutton, London' across the upper portion below twelve o'clock. Visual observation shows the chapter ring formatted with Roman hour numerals and an outer ring of Arabic five-minute numerals.

Time is marked by pierced dark spade-tipped hands, with a single winding aperture situated directly below the central hand arbor.

Evidence for this section
  • “14-inch silvered dial signed Thos. Mudge, Willm Dutton, London”
  • “Circular silvered dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic five-minute markings”
  • “Single winding aperture located beneath the hand arbor”

Case Architecture

The case is constructed of mahogany and measures 65 cm (25½ inches) high. Its structure includes a moulded circular mahogany bezel surrounding the dial, shaped side ears, and a lower trunk drop fitted with a moulded base door.

Visual observation confirms the mahogany construction and lower drop box layout. Cataloguer condition notes describe the case as having some old cracks and minor scuffs.

Evidence for this section
  • “65cm. high; 25½in.”
  • “the case with moulded mahogany bezel, shaped ears and moulded base door”
  • “Mahogany case with moulded circular dial surround, shaped ears, and a lower drop box with a moulded base door”
  • “Case in generally good original condition with some old cracks and minor scuffs.”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

According to the auction description, the internal mechanism is a fusee movement featuring five knopped pillars and an anchor escapement. Because the movement is not visible in exterior photographs, these specifications are recorded on the authority of the cataloguer.

The condition report notes that the movement is complete and 'loos as though it would run but would benefit from a clean and fresh oil.' The lot is accompanied by a winder and two modern, ill-fitting case keys.

Evidence for this section
  • “the fusee movement with five knopped pillars, anchor escapement”
  • “Movement is complete and loos as though it would run but would benefit from a clean and fresh oil.”
  • “With winder and 2 modern ill-fitting case keys.”

Open research questions

  • Do workshop stamps, movement plate engravings, or scratch marks verify the circa 1770 dating assigned in the auction title?
  • Can direct mechanical examination confirm whether the fusee, knopped pillars, and anchor escapement retain their original components without later alterations?
  • Does additional archival documentation clarify whether the 1928 Shottesbrooke Park inventory entry for a 'Brass [?] dial clock by Thos. Mudge' corresponds to this silvered-dial clock?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Thomas Mudge and William Dutton mahogany drop-dial wall timepiece
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dimensions65 cm high (25½ in.)“65cm. high; 25½in.”
Dial14-inch silvered dial signed Thos. Mudge, Willm Dutton, London“14-inch silvered dial signed Thos. Mudge, Willm Dutton, London”
MovementFusee movement with five knopped pillars and anchor escapement“the fusee movement with five knopped pillars, anchor escapement”
CaseMoulded mahogany bezel, shaped ears, and moulded base door“the case with moulded mahogany bezel, shaped ears and moulded base door”
Accompanying AccessoriesWinder and two modern ill-fitting case keys“With winder and 2 modern ill-fitting case keys.”

Visible details

  • Circular silvered dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic five-minute markings
  • Signature inscription reading 'Thos. Mudge, Willm Dutton, London' on the upper dial center
  • Mahogany case with moulded circular dial surround, shaped ears, and a lower drop box with a moulded base door
  • Pierced dark spade-tipped hands
  • Single winding aperture located beneath the hand arbor

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement attributes, such as the fusee, knopped pillars, and anchor escapement, cannot be confirmed from the exterior photograph
  • Provenance link to the 1928 Shottesbrooke Park inventory is qualified in the source as tentative ('possibly')

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

Consulted source

(#14) A MAHOGANY DROP-DIAL WALL TIMEPIECE, THOMAS MUDGE AND WILLIAM DUTTON, LONDON, CIRCA 1770 |

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 09f4432752

Terms in this record

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

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