A LARGE ENGLISH GILT BRASS CARRIAGE CLOCK BY...

A LARGE ENGLISH GILT BRASS CARRIAGE CLOCK

BY JAMES MCCABE, C. 1835-40

the eight day brass chain driven twin fusee repeating movement striking hourly on a bell, with four turned pillars, the lever escapement with a gilt platform, a diamond endstone and blued steel helical spring, the backplate signed 'James McCabe London 2723' and with set hands dial, strike/silent lever and slow/fast adjustment, the silvered dial with black Roman numerals, with a subsidiary seconds dial, inscribed 'James McCabe / Royal Exchange / London / 2723', the case with four bevelled glass panels, the top with a bevelled glass inspection panel with the repeat button set through a brass ferrule, with a stiff leaf faceted handle, with original numbered key (2)

20.8cm high (handle down)

James McCabe, born in Belfast, arrived in London in the mid-1770's, established his firm in The Royal Exchange in 1804 and became a Freeman of the Clockmaker's Company in 1781. However, it was his son, also James, apprenticed to Reid and Auld and admitted to the Clockmaker's Company in 1822, who is now regarded as one of the finest and prolific clock and watch makers of the 19th century and under whose tenure this clock was produced.