18th Century George II Tavern or Act of Parliament Clock, Circa 1740

Object Description

Tavern clock by Thomas Moore Ipswich

A fine eighteenth-century tavern clock with a japanned shield dial and gilt decorations, signed at the bottom of the dial in gilt letters Thos Moore Ipswich, c. 1740.

The black japanned case of traditional style has a short trunk with an arched painted door depicting an eighteenth-century company in a tavern. It is embellished with gilt lines The white painted chapter ring has Roman hour numerals, a minute track and outer Arabic five-minute markers. The pierced brass hands have heart-shaped tips. The eight-day movement has four knopped pillars, a five wheel train, anchor escapement with a long steel rod pendulum and brass bob. It is driven by a period lead weight.

Note on the maker
Thomas Moore was a descendant of a clockmakers family from Ipswich and active as a clockmaker in the period 1711-1762.

Object Literature

Literature: M.Gatto, The Tavern clock, Bath, 2010; M.Gatto, The Tavernicus Tavern Clock Archive, Bath 2017, pp127-30.

Object Condition

Good
Wear consistent with age and use. The case has been lightly conserved

Object Details