Skip to navigation
Skip to content

An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne. Circa 1685

An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock.

Stock No:   14388

The eight day duration, 5 finned pillar movement with a small Anchor Recoil escapement and large, external countwheel striking on a top-mounted bell. Notably, the wheel and pinions are original and have rounded collets. The movement is driven by original brass-cased weights.

Behind a 10" square brass dial with small winged cherub spandrels to the corners. The silvered chapter ring has a narrow, outer minute track with Arabic 5's and cruciform markings to the dial corner points. The Roman hour numerals are separated with Fleur-de-lys and the inner, quarter track is dotted and Fleur-de-lys also. The finely matted centre has a silvered subsidiary seconds dial with Arabic 5's and inner, divided track. The bottom of the centre has a square, chamfered, calendar date aperture and the silvered date ring has early 'Lantern clock style' Arabic numerals. The blued steel hands are pierced and carved.

In a small, walnut marquetry-fronted case with a rising hood. The flat top overhangs a front frieze. This is the usual configuration with cross-grain framing to the glazed front and inset barley-twist pillars to the front and quartered pillars to the rear. The hood sides have glazed apertures. The hood is held in the up position with its original swinging hook and can only be opened once the trunk door is unlocked and opened because the case still has its original iron 'hooked spoon' lever that is also sprung. The trunk throat has a convex moulding that is cross-grain veneered and the trunk has a full-length marquetry door with outer half-round and ebonised moulding which is repeated around the oval, glazed lenticle. The marquetry consists of three separate 'bird and flower' panels that are separated with oysters but notably, the top panel depicting tulips has the upper flower closed. The middle panel shows a bird sat among an urn containing flowers and the lower panel is similar. This is repeated in the panel to the front of the base. The sides are plain, cross-grain panelled in walnut and the case sits upon four, bun feet. The rear has its original and still full-length backboard which still has its movement fixing bracket.

* This is an incredible find and a highly collectable clock. It was purchased privately and I have never come across such a complete and original example, it has never been restored yet only has some small areas of veneer loss. This is a puritan's clock! It is important and rare because of its originality that shows no doubt of its construction throughout the case. Photographs should be taken during any work carried out to it. Though anonymous I am attributing this clock to Nathaniel Pyne because the case shows a unique feature to him that I noticed many years ago, that being the closed tulip to the top of the marquetry. He was not a maker of particular note however, he is recorded as being born about 1653. He was free of the Clockmaker's Company in 1677 and signed the Company's Oath of Allegiance in 1697. It is believed that he died shortly after 1715.

Dimensions:                75 1/4" high x 16 1/2" wide x 8 3/4" deep.

Circa:                          1685.

Condition:                    In original and unrestored condition. Small areas of veneer loss, glued-on
                                    replacement hood frieze (which can be easily rectified). It is exactly as the
                                    photographs show and obviously would benefit greatly from careful restoration.

Price:                           £25,000 in present condition. The cost of any work required by the purchaser can be
                                    advised upon request

                                 *  I value this item fully restored in excess of £34,000.

An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
  • An important and rare early English, small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne.
Quick Contact Quick Contact

Quick Contact

or telephone 01202 429718

Join Our Mailing List for priority notification of special offers