A LATE GEORGE III CORNISH MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCK

A LATE GEORGE III CORNISH MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCK

BY WILLIAM WEST OF HELSTON, CORNWALL

the brass eight day movement with four turned pillars and an anchor escapement striking on a bell, the arched silvered twelve and a half inch dial engraved with figures in various country pursuits, with Roman and Arabic numerals and a date aperture, with pierced and scroll blued steel hands and seconds hand, signed 'William West, Helstone', the arch with a moonphase painted with a sailing ship, moon faces and a coastal scene and inscribed 'High Water At Hayle', with two demi-lune maritime vignettes and further numerals, the case inlaid with marquetry fan paterae, the arched hood with fluted columns

229cm high

Provenance

From the collection of Edward Croft-Murray CBE (1907-1980).

Catalogue Note

William West (1751-1831) of St. Blazey was a Cornish engineer and brother-in-law to Richard Trevithick. In 1797 he married Joanna Harvey, the daughter of John Harvey of Hayle, He had a 20% share of Trevithick's 'Patent of High Pressure Steam Engines' but in 1815 disappointed by the return on his investment he became a clock and watch maker and he is famous for his 'West's Chronometers'.