Striking George IV Eight-Day Rosewood Pagoda Library Clock by French, London

Striking George IV Eight-Day Rosewood Pagoda Library Clock by French, London

This lovely small library clock has a spring-driven eight-day twin chain-fusee movement with going and striking trains. The going train has anchor escapement with a short pendulum and stirrup regulation to facilitate adjusting the timing, which is accessible from the back. The rack striking indicates the hours of a gently sounding bell, which can be repeated at all times by pulling a cord to the side of the case.

The elegant chased and engraved arched gilt brass dial has a Roman chapter ring with five-minute and minute divisions. The maker has signed the dial above the middle: FRENCH ROYAL EXCHANGE LONDON. The time is indicated by a fine pair of Breguet hands.

Signed on the dial: FRENCH ROYAL EXCHANGE LONDON
Circa 1820.

The finely carved pagoda top rosewood case has facetted glass to the sides so that the finely made movement is almost entirely visible. It has lovely mouldings all around, buttresses on the front corners and rests on four gilt brass bun feet.

The Maker
Santiago James Moore French is recorded as becoming a member of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1810. He was active as a clock, watch and chronometer maker at 15 Sweetings Alley, Royal Exchange London. He was awarded prizes for his chronometers from the Admiralty in 1825. In 1839 he moved to 80 Cornhill where he died in 1842.