Clock
William Smith (1727-1803)
Category
Horology
Date
Unknown
Materials
Cast iron, wrought iron, steel, brass, painted surfaces
Measurements
690 x 720 x 370 mm
Place of origin
London
Collection
Hatchlands Park, Surrey
NT 1166798
Summary
Eight-day hour striking turret clock by William Smith, London 1756. Two-train green-painted iron, posted frame, ‘pagoda-type’ movement with 10” dia great wheels, anchor escapement and count wheel hour striking on a bell in a cupola on the roof of the stables. The striking train employs a vertical three-bladed fly. The brass setting dial is signed: “Willm Smith / LONDON. 1756”. The frame bears a brass plate inscribed: “RESTORED BY / THWAITES & REED LTD. / LONDON E.C.1 / 1963”. The movement is enclosed in an original, good match-boarded pine cabinet. The movement is fitted with a night-silencing device and electric automatic winding on both trains, though both weight chutes are preserved within the building. Externally, the clock has two blue-painted framed octagonal two-handed dials with arabic hours in gilt, in the cupola, directly under the bell.
Makers and roles
William Smith (1727-1803), manufacturer