Richard Comber, Lewes – 1775
£12,500.00
Richard Comber of Lewes, circa 1775. A fine George III mahogany bracket clock by this eminent Sussex maker, whose longcase clocks remain widely represented in houses throughout the county and in collections across the UK, Europe, and the United States. It was principally through those longcases that Comber established his reputation and demand; his bracket clocks, by contrast, were produced in far smaller numbers and are now correspondingly rare. This example stands as a refined expression of his craftsmanship in compact architectural form, measuring 50 cm in height and 30 cm in width.
The 7½-inch (19 cm) silvered break-arch dial is engraved with his name in flowing script below chapter XII, a confident yet elegant signature. A square date aperture is neatly positioned above chapter VI, maintaining balance within the dial’s proportions. Regulation is by means of a rise-and-fall mechanism operated through a cut steel hand over a large subsidiary dial in the arch, engraved in sixty divisions in the manner of a seconds register — allowing precise and legible adjustment. Similarly the time is indicated by a superbly cut pair of blued steel hands which are immediately recognisable as from the hand of this master clockmaker. A discreet strike/silent lever, concealed behind the door, preserves the dial’s visual clarity while offering practical control of the hour strike.
The movement reflects the meticulous finish consistently associated with Comber’s work. Thick plates are united by five pillars turned in his unmistakable style, while the backplate is finely engraved and signed within a rococo cartouche. The lenticular brass bob pendulum is fitted with an elegant holdfast to secure it during transport and safeguard the original verge escapement. Even the bell, of superior quality, produces a notably clear and sweet resonance — evidence of Comber’s careful specification of components. Taken as a whole, the clock represents a rare and accomplished example of his bracket work, combining mechanical integrity with restrained Georgian elegance.
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