A very original, dark green chinoiserie Longcase clock with rocking father time. Circa 1720.

An incredibly original and fine example of an early 18th century, London made longcase clock.

Stock No:   14344

Movement.

Five knopped pillar, eight day duration, high quality with an Anchor Recoil escapement and rack striking the hours on a top-mounted, well-toned bell. Driven by two brass-cased London style weights. The pallet arbor drives the automata 'Father Time' in the dial arch.

Dial.

Twelve inch wide, break-arch brass dial with 'Indian's Head' cast brass spandrels to the corners and 'Sea serpent' ones to the arch that flank a silvered circular ring bearing the maker's name of "Samuel Wichell" and "Pickadilly" (London). This encircles a matted centre and a moving, two-piece, silvered figure of 'Father Time' with wings, hourglass and Scythe. The main silvered chapter ring has inner quarters, Roman hour numerals with fluer-de-lys half markings, minute ring and outer Arabic numerals marking the five minute intervals. The matted centre has a silvered subsidiary seconds ring to the upper portion and lower, square chamfered calendar date aperture. The hands are blued steel of which the hour hand may be a replacement.

Case.

The case is incredibly original in its dark green and gilt, raised chinoiserie.

The imposing hood retains its original caddy top that is decorated and has two, gold leafed, ball finials to the front corners. This is mounted upon a break-arch Cavetto style moulding with fine decoration to the large concave section. Below this is a full and intact blind fret above a break-arch base moulding over the hood door. The door has attached tapered pillars with brass capitals and also a lock. The sides of the hood have large glazed apertures. The truck throat has a large Cavetto moulding and a full-length break-arch locking door with a well-executed raised edge moulding. It is profusely decorated in the Oriental style and depicts the Anglo connection due the the East India Trading Company with European ladies in fine dress. The trunk edges are also nicely decorated and the sides have the usual floral design. The base has a panelled area to the front of an Oriental house and the now reduced plinth has simple floral application. All of the decorated panels were originally edge-lined in silver (now faded), this was only carried out on more expensive chinoiserie

* Little is known about the maker of this clock but other fine examples by him are known. I cannot stress enough the originality of the artwork on this fine and imposing piece - I have never seen another one in such well preserved order. If you are a collector of chinoiserie work then you will struggle to find a better example, it 'glows' in low light. It is a superb example of early English clockmaking at its finest. It is truly magnificent and I would go so far as to say, a masterpiece. 

Dimensions:                   90" x 20 1/2" x 10 1/4".

Circa:                              1720.

Condition:                       In working order, totally original (museum quality) but would benefit from a 
                                         complete overhaul to ensure perfection. The case work and decoration is
                                         exemplorary which is extremely rare in a 300 year old plus, longcase clock
                                         of this type.

Price:                               £10,500.00 in present, working condition.
                                         Please note: Any further restoration work that you require to this item will
                                         be subject to an additional cost, please contact us to enquire.