By John Taylor, London

A very fine George III red japanned and chinoiserie table clock. The stepped bell-shaped top mounted with five good twisted and facetted urn finials, each on a pedestal over a boldly moulded cornice and gilt pierced scroll sound frets and side handles, raised on a plinth base and shaped apron. The 7.75 inch arched brass dial signed in a recessed silvered plaque flanked by subsidiaries for Chime/not Chime and the musical options of Dance/March, over a silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring framed by scroll spandrels, the finely matted centre with date aperture. The substantial triple gut fusee movement with verge escapement, short pendulum with brass tear-drop shaped bob, rack striking the hours on a bell and playing a tune once an hour on eight bells and hammers, the backplate with double line border framing a symmetrical pattern of foliate scrolls, a medallion and basket of fruit including an apple, a plum and pomegranate. Ticking, striking, and chiming.