Catalogue - Antique Clocks and Barometers

A
JOHN EBSWORTH LONDINI FECIT
n exceptional William III period month going longcase clock in an English
black and gilt chinoiserie lacquer case. Standing on bun feet, the clock has
a turned wooden lenticle to the trunk door and a pull forward hood flanked by
barley twist columns with gilt capitals and bases. The elegant original decorated
caddy top is surmounted by a finial to each side. The early English chinoiserie
decoration depicts oriental figures in multi-coloured dress in a stylised oriental
setting with flowers, birds, trees and foliage.
The 11 inch square dial, which is signed by the maker on the dial plate below
VI, is mounted with cherub and foliate spandrels and a silvered chapter ring.
The dial centre is finely matted and there is a seconds ring and aperture to
view the day of the month. The elegant blued steel hands are finely pierced and
they are centred by a finely engraved Tudor Rose on the dial. The high quality
month duration movement has six turned and finned pillars and hour strike via
an outside locking plate. Commensurate with a movement of exceptional quality,
the dial feet are also fully latched. The clock is complete with a pair of period
patinated brass cased month weights and a detachable flat pendulum rod with
a brass bob and rating nut.
Date: circa 1690
Height : 84 in (213.5 cm)
* John Ebsworth was in the first rank of early makers who were working during the last
quarter of the 17th century. He was appointed Master of the Clockmakers’ Company in
1697 and he made a number of very fine longcase, bracket and lantern clocks. There are
clocks by him in various museums and public collections around the world.
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