Chiming Longcase Clock: MAR.M.208-1912

Titles

Chiming Longcase Clock
Translated as: Longcase clock with 8 day movement and Westminster chime on 4 bells.

Maker(s)

Clockmaker: Foster, William, clockmaker

Entities

• Longcase clock

Categories

• Clocks

Description

Dial: Break-arch brass dial plate 14 inches across. Foli¬ate engraved centre, signed ‘Willm Foster Manchester', silvered chapter ring, and large cherub spandrels (C & W, No.13) of the type often used on late 18th century North Country dials. In the arch a lunar dial incorporating a painted disc probably on the original clock. Modern stamped steel hands of serpentine design. Levers in slots at III and IX for selecting 4 bells/8 bells chime, Strike/Silent respectively. The whole dial and movement made late 19th or early 20th century to replace a painted dial striking clock and probably with the maker's name transferred from the original dial.

Movement: 8 day movement, chiming quarters on four or eight bells as required and striking hours on a coiled steel wire gong. It gives Westminster chimes on four bells, which did not become popular until after their adoption for the ‘Big Ben' clock in 1859. As stated above, the movement was made towards the end of the 19th century or even later.

Case: Mahogany carcase veneered with figured mahogany and inlaid with chequered stringing, fans and swags, some of which probably date from the `improvements' of the late 19th century. Detached fluted columns, with brass corinthian capitals and bases to hood and trunk and fluted canted corners to plinth. Horn-top pediment with blind frets and wooden paterae. One brass spire finial but with holes for two more. A typical Lancashire case, so probably supplied with the Foster clock.

Notes

History note: Unknown before testator

Legal notes

C.B. Marlay Bequest

Place(s) associated

• Manchester ⪼ Lancashire ⪼ England

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1912) by Marlay, Charles Brinsley

Dating

18th Century, Late
19th Century, Late#
Circa 1790 CE - 1900 CE

Note

The case c. 1790; movement late 19th century