M C Taylor Clocks

Description

A stunning low, break-arch top, striking bracket clock by Louis Recordon.

The substantial, 8 day duration, 5 knopped pillar, double gut fusee movement with Anchor Recoil escapement and rack and jumper wheel striking the hours on a top-mounted bell. Also having one-at-the-half striking, strike/silent selector, hourly pull repeating, shouldered plates, pendulum transit locking and micrometer regulation to the substantial pendulum bob with a graduated, top-mounted nut.

Behind a 6" diameter, bowed painted iron dial that retains its original base paint. It has an outer divided minute track with triangular hour markings, inner Roman hour numerals and the outer top section has a cut out that is worded "STRIKE" and "SILENT" with a protruding selection lever. The dial centre bears the maker's signature of "RECORDON" of "LONDON". It is framed by a cast brass ring and the blued steel matching hands are of 'open moon' style. The cast brass locking bezel has a 'snapped in' bowed glass.

Contained in a small, low-arched, polished ebony veneered case of plain style with unusually, no embellishments. The break-arch top is separated from the carcass with a simple fillet moulding and the case has a simple double plinth mounted upon 4 brass ball feet. The rear has a locking and glazed door. The pull repeating knob exits the case from underneath.

Louis Recordon worked from Soho in London and is recorded from 1778 until 1824 however, he retired in 1796 but the firm continued. He succeeded Emery in Cockspur Street and was partnered with Dupont.

This style of case was used by the better London makers usually between 1820 and 1830. It was a way of producing smaller clocks housing a full-size movement.