In the Inner Hall stands a handsome longcase clock thought to date from between 1690 and 1700.  The case is of oak veneered with walnut.

The door with its neat moulded edge is fitted with a circular glass window or lenticle, popularly called a 'Bull's Eye' through which the swinging  brass pendulum can be seen.

In early clocks, as in this one, the Bull's Eye is of plain glass; in later ones the glass is green.

The hood is of oak, and about 1780.  It has a swan's neck pediment and delicate turned columns at each corner.  The new hood was probably needed to take the additional half-circular moon movement above the dial. 

Between the scrolls of the swan neck would have been a little urn shaped finial as the platform still exists.  The plate above the moon movement is inscribed 'High Water at the New Passage'.  This is a spot between Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges in the Port of London.  Indications of when the moon was full would have helped ships with information about high tides. 

The steel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals is original but the centre disc has been replaced.  The brass spandrels on each corner are probably eighteenth century.  The clock mechanism is thought to be the original with anchor escapement and locking device of about 1690-1700. 

Keys to the case and the winding mechanism are original.  The clock was given to Guildford House by the last Alderman Lawrence Powell.

Guildford House Gallery
155 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3AJ

Tel: 01483 444740
Fax: 01483 444742
Email: guildfordhouse@guildford.gov.uk