Fine & Exhibition quality Longcase Clock on Eight Bells by Thomas Wagstaffe of London ~ Circa 1780

The clock has been fully restored by a very high qualified restorer.

12" arched brass dial with Chinese Rococo cast brass spandrels, silvered chapter ring and Roman numerals with five-minute markers, matted centre with seconds dial and date aperture beneath a shaped name plaque bearing Thomas Wagstaffe, London.

Strike ~ silent dial to the arch which fronts a substantial five pillar three train movement with anchor escapement an hourly rack strike on a single bell and playing the quarters on all eight bells.

The elegant deep flamed Mahogany case with pagoda top and red silk fret above a long shaped moulded door with canted corners and typical London panel base upon a double plinth

Original Locks & Keys

Standing 8’ 2” High

The clock is complete with all three original finials, three graduated brass cased weights and a very substantial brass pendulum which has quite a unique +/- regulation marker at the base...

The last two images are taken from a Book called ‘A chat on old Clocks’ from 1917 where another Thomas Wagstaffe of London clock can be seen dating from the same period.... As you can see on the last image the old clock from that book in 1917 has been merged together with this clock and the elements fit perfectly.. the clock in the picture taken from the book was owned by the renown collector, clock and watchmaker Percy Webster.

*Extract from the book:

Another clock, by Thomas Wagstaff, in date about 1780, exhibits a less grandiose appearance. The height is less, being only 8 feet 2 inches. (Exactly the same as this clock) The pediment of the hood reverts to types which are often found decorated with lacquer work, and the brass terminals are of similar character to those of an earlier period. It is noticeable that the base continues to show increased ornament in the feet, with an added scroll (again the same as this piece).

About Thomas Wagstaffe:
Thomas Wagstaffe (Active 1756 - 1794)

Address:
33 Gracechurch Street, London

Carey Lane near Goldsmiths Hall, London

Biography:
Fellow of Merchant Taylors Company, Watch and clock maker. A number of clocks in America, tracable as parting gifts to Quaker visitors. Two watch-papers in The Heal Collection on same mount (Heal,39.244). One advertises "Thos. Wagstaffe, Clock and Watch Maker, No.33, Gracechurch Street, London. The other states "Thos. Wagstaffe, Watch & Clock Maker in Carey Lane near Goldsmiths Hall, London." Heal's annotations on mount: "See Britton. 1766-1794."

Bibliography:
Loomes, B. (2006). "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", N.A.G. Press, London

Britten, F.J. (1986). "Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers - A History of Styles in Clocks and Watches and their Mechanisms", Bloomsbury Books, London

General:
Thomas Wagstaffe, London.” listed in Brain Loomes “Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume 1,” As working between 1756 through 1793. Thomas was born in 1724 in the small town of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. This town is located some 67 miles northwest of London. By 1753 he is listed as a Merchant and Taylor in London later as a Watchmaker. It is said that he was a physically large individual. He was diligent and prolific worker and by temperament, patient and conscientious. His correspondence indicate a warm and highly socialized personality. He was a dedicated Quaker and had many acquaintance who lived in America. Most of whom lived in the Philadelphia area. When Quakers from Colonial American visited London, they were welcomed and received lodging in his home. It was not uncommon for many to return to America with one of his movements to be cased here. Some 30 plus examples exist, including one which is in the collection at Winterthur with a case constructed by Thomas Affleck who was a very talented Philadelphia cabinetmaker. Wagstaffe clocks are highly prized in England and enjoy the same hallowed reputation as the Willard Family does in America. Thomas lived until 1802.