Lot 301 , A good George III mahogany musical table clock playing six tunes, John Hovil, Fair Street, London

A good George III mahogany musical table clock playing six tunes, John Hovil, Fair Street, London, the mahogany bell-topped case surmounted by five flambe finials and having brass handles and term mounts to the canted angles; the 8in brass arched dial with six-tune selection, signature plaque and Strike/Not Strike and Chime/Not Chime subsidiary dials over silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring, date aperture and matted centre; the hour repeating verge movement striking/repeating on bell, the music played on 10 graduated bells and 15 hammers, the backplate engraved with a Chinese bridge, width 13.5in; depth 9in; height 24in
Estimate £4,000-6,000

Overall looks to be in very good relatively recently restored condition. The case is of good rich colour in a fair state of polish. The top finial is slightly bent out of shape leaning to the left, all five finials have a rather dull, near bronze finish, the other giltwork equally has a rather dull matted finish and lacks much by way of original gilding, similarly so with the handles. Top left corner of the door has a small section broken away and missing, probably from pulling at the door, although it retains its original lock, it has no key and has therefore been pushed and pulled open and closed. The dial looks to be in very good clean restored order. Repeat mechanism working. Equally the back door lacks a key and an escutcheon and has breaks and losses running down the left side, again from being pushed and pulled open. No pieces of missing veneer have been retained, a few small cracks elsewhere on the back of the door. Movement looks to be in very good clean, again recently restored condition. Pendulum possibly a later replacement. Going but not tested for timekeeping, comes with two winding keys.


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

Sold for £6,000