Moonphase grandfather clock by Wood, Stroud, c. 1785

Dealer description — P A Oxley

An excellent Gloucestershire oak longcase clock with Moonphase and High Water feature. The 8 day duration movement strikes the hours on a bell and has a 12" silvered brass arched dial showing Roman Numerals and Arabic minutes. Also with elaborate engraving to the centre and the corners displaying flowers, scrolls and foliage. The dial also features seconds, date dial, blued steel hands and the makers name and place of work. The arch has a rare High Water facility and displays the High Water at Newnham Passage. Below this the Moonphase has superbly engraved hemispheres showing a country scene and a sunset. The light oak case is typical of the Bristol area and features some highly skilled cabinet making. The long trunk door has an oak leaf oval inlay and below the front moulded base has a single shaped plinth. The hood has separate oak pillars topped with Corinthian capitals and Doric capitals to the base. The arched top is surmounted with a small swan neck with a brass finial to the centre and with brass paterea to the swan necks. The trunk door and hood door are also inlaid with very fine boxwood and ebony inlay. An excellent example. Note: John Wood of Stroud was a prolific Clockmaker and obviously had access to an accomplished engraver going by the quality of engraving on this particular clock. The Cabinetwork is also of a very high quality. The High Water feature is very interesting. Newnham Passage stands on the right bank of the Severn 10 miles south West of Gloucester. It was a port trading in timber, coal and bark for the tanning industry. There was also a Ferry in use since 1238. This clock was almost certainly made for either a resident of Newnham or a Merchant based outside the town. Maker Wood of Stroud