William Lettey

William Lettey of Dunster (Somerset)

Circa 1836

A pretty oak and mahogany longcase clock of eight-day duration by this noted Somerset maker, William Lettey.

This example has an oak case with good mahogany detailing. The style and proportions are typical of West Country clocks of this period; with swan-necked pediment, ebonised and Corinthian capped fluted columns to the hood, and canted corners to the base. The trunk has an interesting and unusual use of mouldings to the front, both concave and canted. The height is 86 inches excluding the finials.

The movement has been fully overhauled to the highest standard and is of eight-day duration striking the hours on a bell.

This is a pretty example of the work of the noted dialmaker John Wilkes, with floral painted corners, Roman hour chapter, and the signature for "Wm Lettey – Dunster". There is a subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture, and the time is displayed via the original hands.

Provenance: The inside of the case carries the handwritten inscription in ink "Bought this clock, March 31, 1836. T Baker, Cost £5 16s 0d". (Presumably the first owner.) A further label from a later owner is stuck on stating "Nov 24, 1873".

SOLD