A George III period chinoiserie longcase clock, by John Monkhouse, c. 1760. This clock has a pagoda top with giltwood spire finials and elaborately pierced giltwood sound frets. The hood is profusely decorated in green and gold lacquer depicting flowers and foliage. The matted brass dial with a silvered chapter ring and pierced hands, signed John Monkhouse, London, has three winding holes, a date aperture and a seconds dial, above an arched top with a background of gold stars on a blue ground with a rolling moon. The arch is painted with a border of flowers. There are two subsidiary dials depicting ‘Hours Strike’ and ‘Silent’ and ‘Quarter Strike’ and ‘Silent’ within elaborately pierced scroll-work and mask spandrels. The case is fully decorated, the arched top trunk door depicting raised scenes in the colourful chinoiserie taste, including exotic birds and flowers, landscape views, architectural studies and marine views, all on a green ground with a selection of polychrome colours. The case is raised on a stepped plinth base. The clock has a three-train weight-driven movement with anchor escapement and a seconds pendulum. The movement strikes the hours on a single bell and additionally sounds each quarter on a gallery of six bells. • Height: 280 cm (110in). • The maker, John Monkhouse, is recorded as having been active in London from 1756 to 1771. He was known for his musical longcase clocks and automaton clocks. • Literature: B. Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, London, 2006, p. 546.