A fine quality Georgian longcase clock by Samuel Hill of Sheffield c.1780

Maker: Samuel Hill of Sheffield, Clockmaker working in Sheffield and Totley 1770-1795.
Date: 1780
Height: 220cm
Width: 48cm
Depth: 24cm
Price: Sold

Case

A fine quality quarter sawn oak 30 hour longcase clock by Samuel Hill of Sheffield, circa 1780.

The well proportioned slender case, constructed of beautifully figured quarter sawn oak, of excellent original colour and patination.

The boxed swan-neck pediment hood with the original brass finial, beneath having freestanding turned pillars terminating with brass capitals.

The long shaped top trunk door flanked by corresponding quarter turned columns and wooden capitals over the paneled box base, standing on shaped bracket feet.

Brass strap hinges and the original lock to the trunk door.

Dial

The circular silvered and engraved brass dial with bold Roman numerals chapter ring and an outer minute circle with Arabic numerals at five minute intervals, signed to the centre Sam Hill Sheffield, surrounded by decorative swag and floral engraving.

Movement

The fine quality and original fully restored movement of 30 hour duration united by four knopped pillars, with anchor escapement and striking the hours on a single bell.

All of our clock movements are restored by our horologist who works exclusively for us.
Our horologist is a Fellow of the British Horological Institute (FBHI), having 35 years of full time professional engagement in the repair & restoration of clocks, watches, music boxes & barometers. He was the recipient of the 1977 Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Bronze Medal.

Weights and pendulum

The original cast iron weight and the original brass faced pendulum.

Hands

Finely fretted and wrought original blued steel hands.

Maker

Samuel Hill is recorded as working in Totley from 1770. He was baptized at Dronfield on 30 March 1746, the son of Godfry Hill.

Samuel would have served his apprenticeship c. 1760-1767, although to whom is not recorded although his taste for round dial clocks suggests that it was with an East Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire maker. He was the maker of both brass and painted dialed clocks invariably with no date feature.

He married Ann Dalton, the daughter of Edward Dalton of Totley Bents, at St. John the Baptist, Dronfield on 15 November 1761 and settled in Totley (then in Derbyshire) before moving to Sheffield around 1780 where he worked until around 1814.

In Sheffield, Samuel Hill lived and worked at what is now known as 114 Broad Lane. He was recorded as living there in Gale & Martin's Directory of Sheffield, published in 1787