Hi Catherine,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

According to clock scholar Tobias Birch, John Thwaites (1757–1826) was a distinguished English clockmaker based in Clerkenwell, London. He was apprenticed around 1772 to his father, Aynsworth Thwaites, who had established the family clockmaking business circa 1740. By 1780, John Thwaites was leading the firm, which he relocated to Bowling Green Lane. Under his direction, the company became renowned for producing high-quality clock movements, supplying notable clockmakers such as Dutton, Dwerrihouse, Ellicott, and Vulliamy.

Thwaites held the esteemed position of Master of the Clockmakers' Company in 1815, 1819, and 1820. In 1816, he partnered with his nephew, George Jeremiah Reed, forming the firm Thwaites & Reed. This partnership ensured the continuity of the business, which has been in continuous operation since its foundation and claims to be the oldest clock manufacturing company in the world. Christie's auction house additionally notes that throughout his career, Thwaites was involved in the creation of numerous notable timepieces. For instance, he made the clock for St. Paul's Chapel in New York and produced 23 clocks for Joyce of Lombard Street, London.

When related bracket clocks by him come to auction these days, they usually sell for prices ranging from $500-1,000, or £400-800. Having a broken pendulum unfortunately DOES affect the value of this clock, realistically $400-800 or £300-500.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique William IV or George IV ebonized brass mounted bracket clock
Dial signed by John Twaites, London, early 19th Century
The arched ebonized case centering a white-painted dial with Roman numeral chapter rings and inscribed "John Thwaites / London", with purple-fabric backed panels and brass mounts. Serial number 1697 on likely later works.
44 cm (17-1/3 inches) height; 31 cm (12-1/4 inches) wide; 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) deep
CONDITION: Client reports this to have a broken pendulum and some chips on back window but is otherwise in working condition
PROVENANCE: unknown
$ 400-800*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia