M C Taylor Clocks

Description

A very attractive and small timepiece by this exceptional clockmaker.

The eight day duration gut fusee, circular movement with half Dead-beat escapement and being back wound so as not to spoil the dial with a winding hole. Also having a steel pendulum rod with an axe-head shaped brass-cased bob (so as not to 'knock' the waisted case sides).

Behind a 5" diameter bowed enamel dial with Roman hour numerals within a sectored minute ring. The centre being signed "DWERRIHOUSE, BERKELEY - SQUARE" over and below the centre. The dial is set within a brass rim and the steel hands are of matching 'Arrowhead' style. The cast brass locking bezel fits snugly and has a snapped-in bowed glass.

The well made and attractive balloon shaped case is veneered in 'fiddle-back' mahogany. The front profile is edged with rosewood crossbanding which in turn is strung with boxwood and ebony. The rear has a conforming shaped locking door which is also crossbanded. The case has a short and plain plinth and sits upon four cast brass, splayed feet.
The Dwerrihouse family of clockmakers were renowned and went on to form many partnerships over the years. Jonathan Dwerrihouse was given the honorary freedom of the Clockmakers Company in 1781 and died in 1805. This is a splendid small clock that has survived the rigours of time in exceptional condition. The half Dead-beat escapement was well suited to bracket clocks whereas the pendulum was 6" to 10" long. It adopted attributes from both the Anchor Recoil and Dead-beat escapements and was a kind of self-regulating escapement.