A fine, 17th century, walnut and marquetry longcase clock by John Ebsworth, London. Circa 1690.
A very good example of a marquetry longcase clock by this eminent maker.
Stock No: 14469
The 8 day duration movement with 5 finned pillars, Anchor Recoil escapement and external countwheel striking of the hours on a top-mounted bell. Also having its original wheels and pinions with domed collets, calendar datework and brass-cased weights.
Behind an 11" square brass dial with cast brass winged putti corner spandrels, silvered chapter ring with outer line encompassing small Arabic 5's, a low divided minute track and inner divided quarter track with the Roman hour numerals within them also, elaborate cruciform half hour markings. The centre has a silvered subsidiary seconds chapter to the upper with conforming outer Arabic 5's and inner divided track. The area is finely matted with the winding and seconds hole being ringed and the lower portion has an elaborate square chamfered, calendar date aperture surrounded with fronded floral engraving. The lower edge of the dialplate bears the maker's signature "John Ebsworth, Londini Fecit". The hands are conforming and substantial pierced blued steel.
Contained in a walnut marquetry case. The rising hood has a flat top with crossgrain moulded pediment over a frieze with blind fret. This is above a further moulding over the glazed front with floral marquetry and integral barley twist pillars with capitals. The lower moulding is over a large convex moulding with further floral marquetry. The trunk is crossbanded walnut and has a full-length locking door with iron strap hinges. The edge has a half-round crossgrain moulding and an oval glazed lenticle below centre point with a conforming edge moulding. The door has 3 marquetry panels depicting flowers and songbirds within a dark background. The base has a elaborated large top moulding and a walnut front with a further large marquetry panel set within it. This also depicts flowers of different types with a contrasting dark background. The hood sides have glazed apertures and quarter barley twist pillars to the rear. The trunk and base sides are crossbanded and inset with ebony strung panels. The case stands upon 4 bun feet.
* John Ebsworth was an extremely eminent and prolific maker. He was born in 1643 and apprenticed to Richard Ames until freed in 1665. He worked at the Crossed Keys in Lothbury and later at 'New Cheep Side'. He became Master of the Clockmakers Company in 1697. In 1694 he was one of the original subscribers to the newly formed Bank of England and deposited £1,000 which was a colossal sum. He was buried in 1699 at St. Margaret's Lothbury.
Dimensions: 77 1/2" high x 18 1/2" wide x 9 7/8" deep.
Circa: 1690.
Condition: The movement appears to be wholly original but is very dirty and neglected. It is in
working condition but should not really be run until completely overhauled which is
included in the purchase price. The dial has been restored but both bottom
corners have broken away - they are hardly noticeable but can be rectified using
another dial of the same period as a donor. The case is superb and of good colour
however, expected running repairs to the veneers over its lifetime are evident.
The backboard has not been reduced but the hood locking apparatus has been
removed - probably for repair and not replaced, this too can be rectified and its
purpose is to lock the hood down to prevent tampering and also to hold it up whilst
the movement is wound.
Price: £18,850 in overhauled and guaranteed condition. A timescale for preparation can
be supplied upon enquiry.
