George III Period mahogany longcase clock by
John Sharpe, London Bridge, circa 1795

Finely made and classical in form, the London mahogany longcase clock with its distinctive pagoda hood design remained popular from 1750 to after 1800. This clock was made about 1795 and displays the most desirable Georgian Period features; quarter columns on the trunk, brass stop-reeding in the fluted hood and trunk columns, the continuous pattern of flame veneers from the throat mouldings through to the base, and the narrow, slightly tapering style that keeps everything in proportion.

Case: Trunk and hood are constructed of solid and veneered mahogany over quarter-sawn oak, and the backboard is oak. There is some restoration to the very top portion of the hood, and the finials are restorations copied from a similar clock of the same period. The hood retains fretwork panels in the side windows, and the columns either side of the glazed door are stop-reeded with brass. Very fine flame mahogany veneers are used in a continuous sweep from the throat moulding below the hood door all the way down the front of the clock. Base and feet are original, with a small old repair to the front of the lowest plinth level. The finish is largely old and in very good condition, and the color is a soft amber.

Dial: The 12 inch brass and silvered brass dial is of an unusual design, with an applied central silvered plate that carries the chapter ring and seconds indication. Sharpe's signature and address are in fine engraved script below the center. The dial arch carries both the monthly calendar and the Strike/Silent actuator. The spandrels around the square section of the dial are C&W No. 30, Branches, used from about 1755 to 1785. The dial arch uses a most unusual pattern of spandrels, fitted carefully around the two subsidiary dials. The overall effect is a very handsome dial, easily read, and in good proportion with the case. The blued steel hands are all original and of very high quality, with a counter-balanced seconds hand.

Movement: Sharpe's fine five pillar movement is eight days' duration with hourly striking (optional silencing) and anchor recoil escapement. It is not particularly exotic in its mechanical features, but the level of craftsmanship and finishing is extraordinary among similar clocks of the period. Eight-leaf pinions are used throughout, and the complicated wheelwork on the back of the dial that runs the calendar is fully crossed out. Even the suspension hanger for the pendulum is more carefully fitted than the usual method, and the pendulum's rating nut is fully engraved with Roman numerals. Weights are brass-cased lead and are original. Even the fine winding crank appears to be original.

Maker: The dial is signed very specifically Sharpe, Corner House, London Bridge. This is John Sharpe (or possibly Sharp in some listings), whose address is also listed in directories as Little Tower Street, a short distance from London Bridge (see The Greenwood map of London, 1830). Sharpe was admitted to the Clockmakers' Company in 1793. A slightly later John Sharpe, admitted to the Clockmakers' Company in 1806 and made Master in 1833, is probably the son of this clockmaker. His address is shown as Fish Street Hill, a short street that runs between Lower Thames Street and Cannon Street just off the north approach to London Bridge. With Father and (presumably) son at addresses so close to each other, the address shown on this clock is probably the business location prior to John II's association with the business.

Circa 1795
8' 3" Tall (top of center finial)
No. 1555

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