Josepth Denton of Hull Long Clock circa 1760
Long Clock made by Joseph Denton of Hull in 1760. Condition is Very Good. Inlaid brass and copper, rosewood veneer. Please note the elaborate inlays in the wood and the clock's face, as well as the crown. Pendulum, key and two weights are not included in the images. This is a working clock. This piece was acquired by my wife's mother in Russia in the 1960's and shipped to the USA when her father, serving as an American diplomat in Europe, ended his assignment. My wife was told by her mother that only two such clocks were made, the other currently in Buckingham Palace. I have not been able to confirm or deny this.
95"h x 27 1/4"w x 13 1/4d
Inherited
Yes
Hi Ron,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This looks like a Victorian era case (mid- to late-19th Century) to me and the dial - with those raised white enamel Roman numeral chapter rings on a white dial also is also inconsistent with a mid 18th Century construction. It's also important to note that the name on the dial is the maker of the clock movement, not the case which is a common misconception by collectors/owners.
I'm concerned there's been some meddling with the dial - probably in the 20th Century - to make this clock seem older than it really is.
I'd like to show your photos to a colleague of mine who is an expert in 18th and 19th Century British clocks to see what they think of the case and dial combination, and potential discrepancy between the age of the case and dial with the name on the brass plaque.
It won't cost you additional money for me to get a second opinion but it could take longer than 48 hours to get an appraisal back to you.
Is that OK?
Thanks to confirm, at your convenience,
Delia
Ron,
My deepest apologies for the delay in getting back to you - my former colleague was tending to a sick spouse (who passed in December) and they are just now able to face matters that piled up over the winter.
They agree with my assessment that the dial and case are not original to each other; in the current market, a mid 18th Century clock with original works would have a value of $1,000-1,500 but a married example is closer in value to about half that: $600-900.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A Victorian inlaid mahogany long case clock
19th Century case, possibly with earlier mid-18th Century works but with a 19th Century dial plate
95 inches tall, 27-1/4 inches wide, 13-1/4 inches deep
CONDITION: Case and works probably married.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 600-900*
*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
thank you for getting back so quickly. very interesting. as I mentioned my wife's mother purchased the clock in Russia in the early 1960's. if you've seen the movie BRIDGE OF SPIES my wife's father had a role in the real life situation. so if there's been tinkering or falsities I'd say it was the Russians. and yes, please share the photo's and information with your colleague.