Donnington Priory Salerooms

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A George III ebonised 30-hour longcase clock
John Hathaway, Westminster, mid 18th century
The posted countwheel bell-striking movement with
anchor escapement and 11 inch brass break-arch dial
with single hand to the matted centre within an applied
silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with lozenge halfhour
markers and female mask and scroll cast spandrels
to angles, the arch with herringbone-bordered silvered
boss signed John Hathaway, Westminster flanked by
dolphin cast mounts, the flat-top case with ogee moulded
cornice above integral pilasters to hood door, concave
throat moulding and rectangular door to trunk, on plinth
base with moulded skirt, 207cm high.
Provenance: The case bears a label This clock was in the
vestry at St. John’s, Smith Square, 1886. Now the
property of a private collector.
John Hathaway is recorded in Baillie, G.H Watchmakers &
Clockmakers of the World as apprenticed to Chas. Davis
in 1756. The utilitarian nature of this clock suggests that it
was originally made for ‘backstairs’ use in large London
house or supplied to an owner of more modest means.
The label applied to the case leads rise to a theory that it
may have possibly been supplied to St. John’s Church,
Smith Square, which was designed by Thomas Archer In
1728. Known as ‘Queen Annes Footstool’ St John’s was
bombed out during the war and has know been refitted
as a concert hall. The fact that the clock was inscribed
Westminster rather than London with the makers name
supports the idea that it made for a client in the
immediate locality.
£1,000-1,500
01635 553553
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