272. $900
Thwaites & Reed 8-bell monumental mantel clock, ca. 1890. Thwaites & Reed claim to be the oldest clock manufacturers in the world, having been founded in 1610; in its current form it was
started in 1826. This large (38 inches wide by 25 inches tall) clock was likely used in public buildings such as train stations. It has an old, dark finish with applied carvings along the front base and crest. The thick dial glass is old, the painted, signed
dial clean with the likely original hands. The large brass plate bracket movement is unsigned and unmarked; it chimes a tune
I don’t recognize on the quarter-hours and strikes the hours on a large cathedral gong. It is running, chiming, and striking. The back is covered in cloth and I don’t see evidence of a backboard. The bezel opens with a key. No sales that I can
find of this or a similar model; 8-bell English clocks typically sell for $1000 and up. $900–$1800.
Antique American Clocks January 2024