Here there are four outstanding examples of shield dial tavern clocks which were made from about c.1730 to  c.1770. This important early example dates to pre-1743 as after that date Benjamin Gray partnered his son-in-law Justin Vulliamy (see images of an example of JV's finest work on the Clocks home page). This clock is typical of early shield dials in that the shield is rectangular without curvature on the lower section of the dial. The signature is on one line on the dial. Flanking the door section below the dial are decorative panels known as "elephant ears". Note no such decoration on later clocks

A very rare early gilt and black chinoiserie shield dial tavern clock by Ralph Toleson, the 8-Day timepiece movement with rectangular plates. The beautifully shaped bombé base has a removable panel for ease of access to the pendulum bob to make fine adjustments to the clock’s timekeeping, a feature only seen on the very first tavern clocks made. Ralph Toleson was working in London in the first quarter of the 18th century and this previously unrecorded clock is the first known tavern clock made by this maker. Image courtesy of Howard Walwyn.

This fine example of a middle period shield dial  is most unusual in having a bulbous base and a lenticle. The maker is John Dewe.  The clock dates to about 1750 and was probably made by the father rather than the son of the same name, both working in London.  A-plated movement driven by a weight with an internal pulley. John Dewe's most well known clock was the earlier rectangular shield dial with very elegant elephant ears, see English Dial Clocks by Ronald Rose. That clock is signed Dewe, Southwark.

There is a James Smith listed in Loomes operating in King's Lynn in 1774. He is listed as a watchmaker and silversmith in the High Street. The dial is signed at the bottom and the town is shown as Lynn without the Royal attribution. Movement has four turned pillars and rectangular plates holding a four wheel train and a very small barrel and runs the full 8 days. Shield dial secured with pegs to the case with two original hinged side access doors. The case is all original including the curved base moulding. The door chinoiserie is original with minor re-touching