Description / Expertise
An important early 18th century period marquetry longcase clock of year duration.
The exceptional slim caddy top oak case is veneered on walnut and decorated with light coloured scrolling flowers and foliage marquetry set against an ebony veneered background. The sides of the case mouldings and the delicate sound frets are in finely figured walnut and very well patinated.
The original lift off caddy with it’s restored flambeau finials and rectangular panelled base are both very rare features and are a further testimony, along with the year duration, to this clock being a special commission for an important client.
The 12 inch brass dial is mounted with a silvered chapter ring in two parts. The inner section indicates the hours and minutes and the outer ring is a revolving annular calendar which shows the day of the month and date. There is also a strike/silent set on a lever above XII and 60 and a subsidiary seconds dial below XII. The winding holes at VII and IIII show the clock is of long duration.
The movement sits on its original seatboard and the holes in the backplate line up perfectly with the fixing bracket on the backboard, proof of the clock being entirely original to this case.
The hours are struck on a single bell and the clock is complete with its two original flat topped large brass weights and four spoke pulleys.
* Peter King was working in Long Acre, London in the first quarter of the 18th century. We recently had a fine striking ebony table clock by this maker from a Belgian noble family. There is no doubt that this extraordinarily rare piece would have been a special commission for an important client. It is also remarkable that it has survived unscathed and is in such a pristine state after 300 years.
|
Print
Contact Exhibitor
Email to a Friend