Walter Mitchell

Green Ground, Longcase Lacquer Clock by Walter Mitchell, Plymouth, (Circa 1740)

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Item Number 002030

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87½ "(2223mm)High x 20¼"( 515mm)Wide x 10"254mm)Deep with a 12"(305mm)Dial

Walter Mitchell, Longcase Clock, Plymouth (Circa 1740)

   A green ground case with elegant gilt chinoiserie decoration.

   This skillfully decorated and well proportioned longcase clock houses an excellent brass, five pillar movement of eight day duration, striking on a bell at the rear, of an arched silvered and brass dial.

   A squared top glazed hood, to and around the arched dial with the original inaccessible hood lock at the base of the dial inside the trunk, turned pillars are to each side and all of which is decorated in an excellent green ground chinoiserie decoration (see gallery below) which is applied to an oak cabinet.

   The fine matted centre of the 12” (305mm) arched dial has two subsidiary dials inside the chapter ring and is complimented with urn spandrels to the four corners, the chapter ring is marked by roman numerals and Arabic outer, separated with minute marks in between.

   The seconds dial is situated above the centre of the dial, with the calendar aperture below and is pleasingly engraved around it's aperture with trailing leaf and branch work, all the hands appear to be original, the hour and minute hands are a pierced and faceted blued steel.

   A silvered boss is applied to the centre of the arch and signed "Walter Mitchell Plymouth" with brass scrollwork spandrels to each corner.

   The long trunk door of the case, is embellished with high quality original chinoiserie decoration, at the base of which is a picture of fruit and flowers, and above this another picture portraying people in the courtyard of a typical historical Chinese house, at the very base of the trunk is a separate picture of men fishing from a boat on a river with typical Chinese buildings to the rear.

   Walter Mitchell was a clock and watchmaker with his workshop/shop in Market Street Plymouth. He apprenticed Jonathan Forrest (Circa 1744) at a premium of £44, he also took out a licence on the 12 April 1746 to marry Ann Turtliff of St Andrews Plymouth and they were subsequently left a guinea in the will of Stephen Turtliff of Moretonhampstead, proved 22nd December 1749.

All the above information is from the book, Devon Clocks and Clockmakers written by Clive N. Ponsford

   The above clock has been beautifully restored, stands 8’- 00” (2438mm) in height and carries a 12 month guarantee.

  • 12" Silver and brass dial

Gallery

  • Walter Mitchell (Circa 1740) name on boss
    Walter Mitchell (Circa 1740) name on boss
     
  • Walter Mitchell Brass & Silvered Dial
    Walter Mitchell Brass & Silvered Dial
     
  • Walter Mitchell Intricately Painted Spandrel
    Walter Mitchell Intricately Painted Spandrel
     
  • Walter Mitchell Side of Hood
    Walter Mitchell Side of Hood
     
  • Walter Mitchell Side of Trunk
    Walter Mitchell Side of Trunk
     
  • Walter Mitchell urn spandrel & engraving around date dial.
    Walter Mitchell urn spandrel & engraving around date dial.
     
  • Walter Mitchell Hood and Dial
    Walter Mitchell Hood and Dial
     
  • Walter Mitchell U/side of Hood.
    Walter Mitchell U/side of Hood.
     
  • Walter Mitchell Top of Trunk Door
    Walter Mitchell Top of Trunk Door
     
  • Walter Mitchell Bottom of Trunk door
    Walter Mitchell Bottom of Trunk door
     
  • Walter Mitchell Base of Trunk
    Walter Mitchell Base of Trunk
     
  • Walter Mitchell Plymouth (Circa 1740)
    Walter Mitchell Plymouth (Circa 1740)
     

Click on one of the pictures to view a larger version

Below is an easy access Map of Market St, Plymouth, UK, where Walter Mitchell may have carried out his trade (Circa 1740).


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