Hello Bob,
Thank you for sending your longcase clock to mearto.com for an appraisal.
I hope to be of help.
TITLE:
Mahogany, two weight, eight day time and hourly striking longcase clock, made by William Barr, Paisley (Renfrewshire), Scotland, circa 1780.
DESCRIPTION:
Case - Mahogany longcase clock, the hood with a step molded broken arch pediment, each arch with applied carved rosettes, suppressed ball and spire finials to either side of the pediment and an elongated acorn style finial resting on the central fluted plinth. An arched cornice sits above the arched glazed dial door, flanked by two free-standing mahogany colonnettes, each meeting the tympanum, above, just off-center (seen primarily in Scotland). A Concave molding transitions down to the trunk section with a full length door, the top with a wavy shape and two points. The door is flanked by fluted quarter columns at the edge of the case. There is a stepped molding leading down to the rectilinear base with sharp case corners and broad base molding with wooden block feet. . .
Dial: An arched brass dial with Roman hour chapter, closed minute ring to the outside with Arabic markers placed every five minutes, the dial center with a subsidiary seconds ring, uniquely scalloped, under the twelve, a square calendar aperture over the six, and steel skeletonized Chippendale hands. The cast spandrels are applied to the dial plate and are in rococo form. In the lunette the circular boss is inscribed, "William Barr, Paisley", and is flanked by dolphin spandrels. . .
Movement: Not shown but should be a rectilinear solid brass plate movement with anchor escapement, steel arbors and steel cut pinions, grooved winding drums to take up the weight cords with a long seconds pendulum and bob swinging at the back of the movement inside the case below. The weights run the clock for eight day and strike the hours on an overhead bell. . .
Condition: Case - Both rosette terminal carvings are fractured with missing pieces. The case feet have been replaced and would likely have been ogee bracket feet. Dial - I can only see the dial through the glass and it appears to be in proper condition, and resemble other Barr dials, especially the configuration of the second’s ring, which is quite unique.
I will assume the movement is original to the dial and case, and is functional. A very handsome Scottish longcase clock from the last quarter of the 18th century.
HISTORICAL:
William Barr of Paisley. This clock and watch maker was working there pre.-1760 and again noted 1764-5, working until 1790 when he was listed as trading at Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire. Some of his clocks were numbered on the dial.
It was my pleasure to be of service to you today.
My fair market appraisal is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of Scottish comparables. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and vary.
Best regards,
David