M.I. Tobias Neoclassical Mystery Clock Circa 1820s
Our amazing mystery clock from M.I. Tobias & Co. of Liverpool features a case with two Poseidon’s Hippocampi (sea horses) supporting a glass dial measuring 21 inches across. It has a single rotating hand to tell the time with fusee movement with cylinder escapement that is signed "M.I. Tobias, Lord Street, Liverpool" with the number 3462. Movement is present but not currently installed. It measures 36 by 21 by 5 inches.
According to the British Museum, the firm, Tobias, Michael Isaac and Company, operated from 1805 to 1829 and produced fine timepieces including pocket watches and clocks. He is often confused with Meyer Isaac Tobias of Poole Lane, Liverpool, who was said to have imported and retailed fine timepieces in New York. (Literature: "English Watches for the American Market, a History of Watchmaking by the Tobias Families of London and Liverpool", Michael Edidin, October and December 1992 issues, NAWCC Bulletin.)
