A George II walnut longcase clock, 30cm arched brass dial wi...

Hammer

£900

A George II walnut longcase clock, 30cm arched brass dial with silvered chapter ring inscribed Edward Brooks, Derby, the arch with roundel inscribed Tempus Fugit, Roman and Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, date aperture, twin winding holes, 8-day movement striking on a bell, the case with moulded outswept cornice, Doric columns, crossbanded rectangular door to waist, outlined with feather banding, plinth foot, 229cm high, c.1755 This semi-automaton clock was made by Edward Brookes, who was not only a first cousin of the painter Joseph Wright ARA but was also an apprentice of John Whitehurst FRS from 1749 to 1755, his aunt Hannah having married John ('Equity') Wright, Derby's leading attorney. Brookes' father Edward was also an attorney and had originally recruited the elder Wright into his practice. Brookes was working until the 1770s after which he moved away.