Semaine (Thomas Weeks), clockmaker.
Richard Smith, springmaker
Merfield, dial enameler.

The extremely well-cast and finished patinated bronze and ormolu case depicts a partially clad female, dressed in Grecian garb, on a daybed amongst flowing drapery and large pillows frolicking with four energetic putti. The patinated bronze bed is adorned with numerous decorative appliques that include four bold paw feet and stands on a verde antico marble base with bun feet.

The well-lettered white porcelain dial has gilt Roman numerals and minute marks, steel Breguet-style hands, a finely finished bezel and is signed ‘Semaine’.

The large eight-day time and strike twin fusee movement has shaped plates, six turned pillars and the escapement planted on the backplate with a caliber style anchor and solid escape wheel. The pendulum has a steel suspension, a chamfered brass rod and a lenticular bob supported by the fast/slow grading nut.

Thomas Weeks’ premises were at 3 Tichborne St. where he established his museum in 1803. He sold high quality pieces often in the french taste and occasionally had the dials of his clocks signed ‘semaine’ – French for week.

For a similar clock see: ‘La Pendule Francaise’ by Kjellberg, pg. 390.

The back of the dial is signed by the dial maker, ‘Merfield Enameller, 216 Goswell Rd., London’. Although there is no specific listing for that address, the Merfield family has several listings for 111 Goswell Street during this period.

The springs are inscribed ‘ Rich Smith, July 13, 1812, London ‘. Richard Smith is listed as working from 1811-1841 in Clerkenwell.