86 - A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY PERPETUAL CALENDAR BRACKET CLOCK, GEORGE TAYLOR, WOLVERHAMPTON, CIRCA 1850

A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY PERPETUAL CALENDAR BRACKET CLOCK, GEORGE TAYLOR, WOLVERHAMPTON, CIRCA 1850 eight day twin fusee movement with anchor escapement and striking the hours on a bell, the movement linked to the 'self correcting' calendar mechanism stamped 'PATENT 6483', the white painted arched dial signed within the Roman chapter ring 'GEGe. TAYLOR. / WOLVERHAMPTON.', with gilt-edged shaped apertures for day, month and date below, the flat topped case with fluted Ionic pilasters to the glazed door, the moulded bracket with scroll support, with case key and calendar adjuster but no winder, clock 39cm high, 67cm overall Innovative clocks of this type were apparently displayed for this clockmaker at the 1851 Great Exhibition: 'George Taylor, of Wolverhampton, exhibited his perpetual self-correcting date-clocks, in which the day of the month, the month, and the day of the week were all shown in recessed openings under the dial.’ (Edward J. Wood, ‘Curiosities of Clocks and Watches from the Earliest Times’, London, 1866, p.193). Although a patent may have been submitted under reference No.6483, there is no record under this number of a patent having been issued. It seems likely Taylor intended to patent his design, but sales of the clock were disappointing and didn't justify the large cost of proceeding with it, making this clock a rare survivor.