a very pretty oak eight-day white dial longcase clock by john gudgeon of bury st edmunds, circa 1810

This clock came from a collection formed over many years by a collector just north of Norwich. The clocks were left in as-found unrestored condition and carefully selected for their quality and interest. All were from Norfolk or Suffolk.

The Maker, John Gudgeon, was working before 1785, and died in 1835. He entered into a partnership with Mary Lumley in 1785, shortly after the death of her clockmaker husband George. In July of that year he married her daughter (also called Mary) in Bury St Edmunds. He is recorded in the directories for 1823 and 1830 and his will, proved on 16 March 1835, describes him as a 'silversmith', Two watches by him are in the Gershom-Parkington Collection. His son, George Gudgeon, carried on the business after his father's death.The dial is of good quality and, unusually for a white dial, has a strike/silent lever in the arch enabling the strike to be turned off if desired. We have seen one other white dial clock by Gudgeon with the same feature but none by any other maker. The main chapter ring has bold roman numerals with a subsidiary dial at the top showing seconds and an aperture in the lower half showing the date. A lovely set of steel hands indicate the time. A finer better finished set would be hard to find. Note the little heart incorporated within the strike/silent hand.The movement is well made with heavy plates and delicate wheelwork. The clock shows little wear for a mechanical object after 200 years. It will run a little over a week on each wind and strikes the hours on a bell.The case is typical East Anglian with one feature we have only seen on Bury St Edmunds clocks. This is the little decorations carved at the top of the hood. As several clockmakers probably only used one casemaker, we can be sure this one was in Bury. The colour and patination of the oak are superb and, all in all the clock has survived in remarkably original condition.Height 87 inches (231 cm) with centre spire which can be removed if height is a problem, reducing the height to 83.5 inches.This clock can be viewed in the Long Melford Antiques and Lifestyle Centre, Hall Street, Long Melford. They are open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Delivery and setting up is free within 50 miles of Long Melford. We can deliver anywhere but there may be a charge for a long distance.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: 8RA8FXKJA

Maker/Artist:

John Gudgeon

Materials:

oak, steel, brass

Width (cm):

49.5

Height (cm):

231

Depth (cm):

25

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J. and R. Norman Antiques

We have been antique dealers since 1974 and specialize in antique clocks, especially longcases, but also bracket, carriage and wall clocks. For many years we sourced clocks for a world-renowned clock specialist and author of books about clocks, who has now retired. We carry out restoration on pre-1860 clocks. We are also the largest dealers in 19th century stereoscopic photography in the world. We are a family business and are fortunate in having three generations working - aged from 22 to 75!

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