Tavern clock by Vulliamy

Tavern clock by Vulliamy, London, c. 1790. White painted dial, black japanned case. 8-day weight-driven movement. Signed ‘Vulliamy, London No. 427’. Clockmakers' Museum No. 738.

The name tavern clock stems from an Act of Parliament of 1797 which imposed a tax on clocks and watches. Owners soon disposed of their timekeepers, relying on large dialled clocks like this one by Vulliamy, which were usually found in inns, taverns and public indoor spaces. They are also often referred to as Act of Parliament clocks. The effect on the watch and clockmaking trade was substantial, and the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers led a campaign to repeal the Act. The tax was eventually replaced by Income Tax.