Long-case clock, English, ca. 1750, by Richard Peyton of Gloucester

V&A — Physical description

Dial: Break arch brass dial. Silvered chapter ring with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals in multiples of five. Engraved half-hour markers in the form of leaves; half-quarters outside the minute ring are indicated by engraved and detailed diamond shapes. The inner portion of the chapter ring is engraved with hour and half-hour divisions. Separate, silvered subsidiary seconds ring below twelve with Arabic numbers at ten-second intervals. The main body of the dial has a matted centre with engraved patterns, one in the form of a shell around the recessed, square calendar aperture located above six. The date is indicated by Arabic numerals engraved on a silvered disc carried behind the dial. In the dial corners, cast brass spandrels are in the form of an urn with two birds. The arch carries a rotating lunar disc. With two painted effigies of the moon, clouds and stars, the phase of the moon is represented against the two engraved semi-circles, whilst its age is indicated by the Arabic numbers at its circumference. The arch itself carries an applied, silvered plaque with the name Rich: Peyton. Steel hands. Movement: Brass and steel weight driven two-train movement, of eight day duration with count wheel (or locking plate) striking on bell, regulated by a long pendulum of one second period. The four pillars with a bulbous centre of circular profile and semi-circular profile at the plate edges are riveted to the back plate and pinned at the front. The count wheel is attached to the great wheel. The four spoke train wheels have a fine groove turned on their faces and are attached to their arbors with semi-circular shaped collets; the arbors are non-parallel in section, tending to fatten towards their centres. The escapement is of the anchor recoil type; the back cock is devoid of steady pins and is secured with brass screws. A long lever attached to the back of the main dial advances the moon disc every twelve hours when it contacts a steel piece carried on the hour wheel. The hour wheel also advances the calendar ring via a twenty-four hour wheel in mesh with it. Description and notes by Francis Brodie, c. 2008

V&A — Object history

Purchased for £650 on 14 June 1951 by Brigadier WE Clark from Mallet & Son (Antiques) Ltd, 40 New Bond Street, London. Described as 'a rare 18th century walnut longcase clock, with elaborate cross-banded moulding and and carved and fret cornice. The movement by Richard Peyton of Gloucester.' Notes: The escape wheel and its arbor may have been replaced — the style of both is slightly different from the rest of the wheel work. A repairer's mark is scratched on the front plate: “J M .... 1916”. The presence of the count wheel (or locking plate) to control the striking mechanism, combined with the shape of the wheel collets and arbors are earlier features. Description and notes by Francis Brodie, c. 2008

V&A gallery label

LONG-CASE CLOCK ENGLISH; about 1750 By Richard Peyton of Gloucester.