This is an unusual and rare small gilt and black japanned tavern timepiece. The case is of the shield form with two flambeau finials to the top sides, gilt decoration to the outer molding edge and gilt leaf decoration to all corners with gilt painted lower spandrels. The case is of oak and pine construction with locked doors to the rear right and to the bottom of the box.

The 15” diameter black painted dial has gilt Roman hour chapters and gilt Arabic minute numbers at the five minute markers. Pierced brass hands, the minute hand being counter weighted. The clock is signed Robt. Berry, Hitchin below the dial. The winding arbor is on the 40 minute line close to the center arbor.

The five pillar brass plated (6 ½” x 4 ½”) movement has verge and horizontal crown wheel escapement and short bob pendulum. Single fusee and spring barrel with steel line drive.

Robert Berry was a clockmaker in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. He was apprenticed to William Lambert 10th October (1734?) (Britten’s) and was a member of the Clockmaker’s Company. He was married in March 1741 (Tyler). He was also the son of Robert Berry (Snr). Listed in Baillie as clockmaker c1743. A tavern clock by Robert Berry is illustrated in English House Clocks 1600-1850 by Anthony Bird, plate 38.

Provenance - The collection of Justice Warren Shepro, Roscoe, Illinois. Inventory No. 1074.

Height 24” and width 19 ½”