Lot 234

Antique, Fine Art and Collectables auction held on Wednesday 15th of May 2013

John Smith, Midland clock works, Derby. A mid 19th Century oak tower clock, having a Roman silvered dial with outer minute track, set triple fusee movement striking 4 bells and chiming gong, the case in the Gothic taste with glazed door, raised on a blind fret cut pedestal, plinth base 77.5"h x 20.5"w x 13"d. John Smith of Derby set up business in 1856 following an apprenticeship with the celebrated Whitehurst family, the descendants of John Whitehurst 1713-88 of the Lunar Society fame. John Smith's business prospered as Northern Industrial towns flourished and many consequential buildings were fitted with Smiths clocks. The most celebrated example of their work is the great chiming clock in St Paul's Cathedral.