Music clock signed (dial) 'Thos Strong London',... Lot 81

Music clock signed (dial) 'Thos Strong London', circa 1785. Four white enamel dials, one in the center for the hours (Roman numerals) and minutes (Arabic numerals), and three in the arch to activate or de-activate the bell (left), select the melody to be played (center), and activate or de-activate the chimes (right). These dials are applied to a gilded brass plate, engraved with the signature, a decoration of leaves and flowers, and adorned with applied openwork spandrels; openwork blued steel hands. Brass movement with three gears, spindle with chain, short balance wheel with concave cone-shaped weight, back plate entirely engraved with scrolls, music by barrel with picks on fourteen gongs placed across the width of the case. Ebony veneered oak body, with gilded brass appliques chased with flowers and foliage flanking musical instrument trophies, grills and flower buds on the ribs. With matching console. H. 1m,70 ; L. 56cm. The twelve melodies, entirely typical of the period in their blend of patriotism and folk music, are : God save the King Lord Cathcart Rule Britannia Blue bells of Scotland Jesse of Dumblain I'll take you to me Kathleen Roy's wife Or nanny The thorn La Garcon volage Tyrolese waltz Highland Laddie