William IV Ebonised Bracket Clock by John Bull of Bedford
Description
A very good quality English William IV ebonised chamfer top bracket clock with inset corner panels and brass moulded edges to the front. The case has fluted moulding, decorative brass handles and fish scale sound frets to the sides, pineapple finial to the top, and stands on brass ball feet.
The clock has an eight inch painted dish dial with Roman numerals and the makers name -
J Bull
Bedford
The movement is a five pillar, twin fusee, eight day duration which strikes the hours on a bell, with pull repeat action. The pendulum has top adjustment and a holdfast.
The movement has been cleaned and serviced and comes with a 12 month guarantee.
John Bull & Co have a 200 year history in the town of Bedford for being independent jewellers and watchmakers. John Bull was born in 1802 and he founded a small jeweller's and silversmith's business in Bedford in 1825. John Bull is listed as manufacture of firearms, watches, clocks and optical instruments in trade directories.
Upon his death in 1870, his two sons, Richard and Thomas, took over the business. They demolished the old building and built a new one, with the now famous projecting clock surmounted with the golden bull, which is still there today.
Richard became mayor of Bedford in 1870 and donated to the town the ceremonial gold chain still worn by the current mayor. Thomas financed the installation of the town hall's carillon bells, which played tunes every hour.