Lot 202: C.1870, English, Joseph Mayer, Lord St., Liverpool, {1803--1886} 3-Tr, 8-Bell Skeleton Clock in a heavy scroll frame, and a display case {original cracked dome included}. Condition: generally excellent as-found condition, the signed plates still with

C.1870, English, Joseph Mayer, Lord St., Liverpool, {1803--1886} 3-Tr, 8-Bell Skeleton Clock in a heavy scroll frame, and a display case {original cracked dome included}. Condition: generally excellent as-found condition, the signed plates still with most of their original gilding intact, and raised up on two well formed gilt plinths to give height for the half seconds pendulum. There are 6 large & robust baluster pillars, with typical Liverpool/ northern England design. Has a well designed "trip" chime mechanism for the quarter hour, which releases a spring loaded lever; this design usually applied to Grand Sonnerie movements. The chime tune is Whittington. Hours struck on a large spiral gong; all 3 fusee chains intact. This frame is very similar to a clock pictured in Derek Roberts' book titled British Skeleton Clocks, pages 38 & 41; also note the same "trip" lever on the chime. Also see Royer Collard's book Skeleton Clocks, pages 121-2, figures 7-24 & 7-25 for the same frame {except Scottish frame is engraved}. Ht of clock and original base = 19.5", as shown on mahog base with plexi cover, 56" [cracked dome is 22"] Clock runs, but has not been recently serviced. $15,000--$20,000