High quality, long door, Chippendale influenced, flame mahogany case with eagle/ball centred swan neck pediment having cast brass paterae with dentil mouldings following the lower sweep and with blue "silk" backed frets.High quality ogee mouldings to hood door.

Dentil mouldings to lower hood. The fluted hood columns with cast brass Corinthian capitals repeated ( unusually ) as full matching columns to hood rear. The trunk with fluted quarter columns and the string inlaid, flame veneered, trunk door edged with finely carved detail. String inlaid base set on 4 ogee bracket feet. N.B.

This case is typical of the high quality work produced by the eminent firm of Gillows of Lancaster and is very probably by them.It is known that Gillows did not stamp their clock cases but their pattern books show many and varied examples detailing the features of this case( as seen in the excellent two volume study of Gillows by Susan E. Stuart ).

13" breakarch brass dial with moonphases to arch and engraved to show High Water at ( clockwise from left ) Liverpool, Bristol, London Bridge, Tynemouth ( the "home" ) port and finally, Swansea.

Two movable indicators ( one blued steel and one polished brass ) are provided for setting. The engraved and silvered dial centre having concentric date with polished brass indicator and signed Saml. Robson with No. Shields. below, all in typical, late 18C, "light touch" script. Rococo spandrels, blued cut steel hour and minute hands.

The concentric date hand being of polished brass. N.B.It could be speculated that this high quality clock was made for a wealthy Shipping Merchant for use in his office.

Beautifully executed, 8 day, 4 pillar, hourly ( rack ) striking movement with paddle operated moonphase and concentric date. Pull hour repeat.

Saml. ( Samuel ) Robson of No. ( North ) Shields is recorded - born 1745, working in South Shields until married in 1768, then working in North Shields where he died in 1794.