Hi Scott,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The records of the Antiquarian Horological Society, a UK-based organization dedicated to the research on clocks made worldwide, records fairly extensively a Richard Ward working in Winchester, which is about 70 miles Southeast of Bath; there is no mention of a Richard Ward in Bath.

The style of this clock and case are typical of mid Georgian (English) clocks made between 1740 and 1770; it has a strike/silent dial on the left and a fast/slow regulation dial on the right.

Although Bath had fewer clockmakers than London, it was an important clock-making center, partly because it was one of the wealthiest spa cities in England and wealthy residents and visitors created a demand for luxury goods, including clocks, watches, barometers and other scientific instruments.

Even without seeing the movement in person, there are several features that suggest that this was not a cheap clock. The engraved arch, subsidiary dials, and overall layout indicate a well-made movement that likely includes twin fusees, a verge or anchor escapement (depending on exact date), an hour strike on a bell, a pull repeat (possibly), and a finely engraved back plate.

If the movement matches the quality of the dial, this would likely be considered a desirable provincial (made outside of London) bracket clock.

If Richard Ward of Bath is genuinely as sparsely documented as current references suggest, then each surviving signed example becomes important evidence of his work. Collectors of provincial English clocks (which it may not surprise you are more likely to be in England than in the US or other countries) often prize such pieces because they represent local craftsmanship from prosperous regional centers rather than the more commonly encountered London makers.

The market for provincial George II brackets clocks is a little sporadic at the moment but ones by known makers that come to auction these days usually sell for between $1,000 and $2,000. Since collectors are often a little suspicious of clocks by previously undocumented and/or unknown makers, that might bring the expected result to $500-1,500.

If you're interested in selling this clock, I may be able to recommend a few auction houses that specialize in clocks or have clock sales; your clock would benefit from their expertise and their connections in the horological collecting community.

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