A Welsh longcase clock by Samuel Roberts  of Llanfair Caereinion, Montgomeryshire. Cloc Mawr Cymreig
The clock has a thirty hour movement with a brass face which is engraved “Sam Roberts Llanfair” and is numbered 408 to the back of the dial. The case is exceptional and made from Welsh oak throughout. It has a gothic shaped door which is inlaid with a central star and with two further corner stars which are made from bog-oak and holly. The door is also cross-banded in figured oak and is flanked by two fluted quarter columns. The base panel is cross-banded with walnut. The original hood has a fretted frieze which is backed by red coloured material, possibly leather, and there are two turned yew-wood pillars either side of the dial door which is also cross-banded in figured oak and has original wooden lock and iron hinges. This wonderful case was probably made by John Lloyd of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, a carpenter who supplied many cases for Samuel Roberts’ clocks at this period. The case is in remarkable original condition with only the base plinth having been replaced at some time; probably due to the clock standing on a damp floor at some point in its life.

Llanfair Caereinion, Montgomeryshire circa 1775

22″ w x 11″ d x 81″ h / 56cm w x 28cm d x 206cm h

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Further reading: Samuel Roberts Clock Maker: an eighteenth century craftsman in a Welsh rural community. By W.T.R Pryce & T.A.Davies, National Museum of Wales 1983.

Wales Clocks & Clockmakers by William Linnard, Mayfield Books 2003

Welsh Furniture 1250 – 1950 R Bebb, Saer Books 2007