TC-49 British Long-Case Clock by Muirhead and Arthur

Starkly simple in design, this truly stunning mahogany-veneered case exemplifies the quality of this clock bearing the Muirhead name. The use of contrasting bands of mahogany on the trunk door and body provide a visual charm accentuated by the columns with their simple capitals. The base continues the theme with its inset central panel of mahogany surrounded by mahogany cross-banding. The slightly tapered trunk is a subtle and quite unusual feature – narrower at the top than at the bottom. Whilst sometimes seen in Scottish drum head clocks it is rarely if ever seen in a more conventional case like this one. This influence can therefore be understood, in that this clock comes from Glasgow – in western Scotland. Interestingly I have another Muirhead and Arthur in a very similar case, with virtually identical mahogany veneering that is not tapered. Standing 83 inches tall this piece would be equally at home in a small library or in a 20 foot tall foyer. The simple square dial with its applied silver leaf under a golden shellac finish is a hallmark of a Muirhead piece. James Muirhead, guild member from 1817 to 1841, appointed watchmaker to Queen Victoria, produced very high-quality long case clocks. Apparently he worked with a Mr. Arthur in 1840, this being the only year listed in the Guild records for “Muirhead & Arthur”. It has been many years since I cleaned this mechanism, but I do recall that it had some of the finest pivots I had seen in a British mechanism. It is also interesting to note that even the weights have been finished with a smooth, glossy surface – a detail I have not seen before. The mechanism for this piece can be seen here: Mechanism

Note that the weights have been "finished" in a black paint that originally hid the roughness of the cast iron billets. Never seen this before, but clearly original to the clock. Note to the original pulleys and key (at least of an age - really no way to guarantee they are original to the clock) and the unusual bob, with its concentric circles - never seen this on a British long-case, though the Scots were noted for their unusual bobs - some of which were even painted.

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Note that the weights have been "finished" in a black paint that originally hid the roughness of the cast iron billets. Never seen this before, but clearly original to the clock. Note to the original pulleys and key (at least of an age - really no way to guarantee they are original to the clock) and the unusual bob, with its concentric circles - never seen this on a British long-case, though the Scots were noted for their unusual bobs - some of which were even painted.