A Fine George III Ormolu-Mounted and Tortoiseshell-Veneered Bracket Clock by George Prior, London, circa 1770

almost certainly made for the Turkish market, the veneered and molded tortoiseshell case extensively mounted with finely cast and chased ormolu mounts, the white enameled face with silvered engraved and green and blue translucent enamel foliate and flower ornamented spandrels, with subsidiary dials above inscribed respectively CHIME/NOT CHIME and GAVOT/SONG/JIGG/HORNPIPE, the movement with a foliate-engraved back-plate engraved Geo. Prior, overlaid with a brass plate engraved Willm. Story / London, and playing four tunes on bells. Losses, replacements and restorations.

The clock appears to be in original and working condition but Sotheby's would suggest that it be examined by a recognized clock maker and restorer before bidding on this lot; The tortoiseshell moldings and veneers restored with some repairs and replacements, not necessarily in genuine tortoiseshell, and with some loose moldings and lifting overall.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This elaborate clock which was designed and made for the Turkish market by the celebrated London maker George Prior who is variously recorded as working at 31 Prescot Street, Goodmans Fields (1765-1788), Rosomans Row (1794), Lombard Street (1798-1810) and 5 St. George Yard (1808-1812). It appears that, as with China, clocks which played a variety of tunes, some accompanied by automaton movements, were extremely popular in Turkey. Some of the clocks had faces engraved with Turkish numerals as opposed to Arabic ones and, although some of the movements played Turkish melodies such a Ben Saiket, Samahe, and Sabac Hafif, English tunes such as those found on the present clock were equally sought after.

  

It is interesting to note that Prior is recorded as purchasing a number of his movements from the firm of Thwaites and Reed, and also that of Spencer and Perkins, Prior's own name being over-laid with that of the  clock maker William Story of 57 Red Lion Street (1737- d. 1784).

See:
Richard C. R. Barder, The Georgian Bracket Clock 1714-1830, Woodbridge, 1993  

Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume, The Musical Clock, Ashbourne, 1995