MAKER: Orpheus Sumart TOWN: London, Clerkenwell Orpheus Sumart operated in London in around the 1730's as he made three very similar octagonal tavern clocks which are typical of that period. One, signed Sumart, was sold by a London auction house in November 1999. Another was featured in Antiquarian Horology in September 2007. That example is signed Orpheus Sumart, Clerkenwell. Clive Ponsford refers to Sumart's shop in Clerkenwell in his article entitled "William Caslon's Foundry Clock" published in AH in September 2009. The distinguishing and rare feature of these three clocks is that they all have forward-mounted pendulums. Also they are all off-set wound. The door sections are removable and they include a lenticle glass all set into identical mouldings. The clock featured in AH provided the template for the chinoiserie restoration as the previous restorations had overpainted much of the chinoiserie and gilt work. This clock was also signed Orpheus Sumart, Clerkenwell. The upper section of the "door" had enough chinoiserie remaining for the restoration whereas the bombe section had been completely over painted; the restoration revealed gilt work under the topcoat of a floral nature. The movement of this clock has simple A-plates held together with four pillars, with a 4-wheel train in between and an anchor escapement. As the pendulum is forward hung, there is a stirrup to by-pass the motionwork; the pendulum is very likely to be original given this configuration. A very neat solution. The replacement weight is strung on a three pulley system to improve the duration of the drop. A photo in the gallery shows the pulley system.The minute hand is original. Octagonal dials are the rarest of the tavern clock design. Many are ill-proportioned but the Sumart design is elegant and not over large at 52inches tall. This is a special clock which has been brought back to life. The other examples, which are virtually identical , give assurance of the origin of this clock, which has its original movement.
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