Walnut and floral marquetry, 8 day longcase clock by John Martin, London. Circa 1690

A particularly good, late 17th century, bird and floral marquetry clock in superb and original condition.

Stock No:   14505

The 8 day duration, 5 finned pillar, 2 train movement with a small Anchor Recoil escapement and a well-executed internal countwheel, striking the hours on a top-mounted bell. Also having a seconds beating pendulum with brass faced bob and driven by its matched pair of brass-cased lead weights. The countwheel striking has a pull cord correcting trip should it become out of sequence.

Behind an 11 inch square brass dial having a substantially thick dial plate with cast bass, elaborated winged cherub corner spandrels and a finely matted centre. The silvered chapter ring has an outer divided minute track with small inset Arabic 5's, Roman hour numerals, an inner divided quarter track and elaborated 'cruciform' half hour markings. The upper centre has a subsidiary, silvered seconds ring with Arabic 5's and inner divided track. The winding holes are ringed and to the centre bottom is a square chamfered calendar date aperture surrounded with floral engraving and a line border. The bottom edge of the dial bears the maker's signature "John Martin Londini Fecit". The 3 hands are cut and pierced blued steel.

Contained in a good walnut marquetry case. The rising hood with spoon lock and holdfast has a large, crossgrain moulding to the flat top and this has a short 'drip' plinth. The blind fret sits over a further moulding that is supported by a glazed dial frame that has floral marquetry and is flanked with integral 'barley twist' pillars. The hood 'guidance' lower moulding sits over a large convex throat which is joined to the trunk with a further small moulding. The full-size trunk door has a half round, crossgrain edge moulding and is well-figured with 3 marquetry panels on an ebony background. The top panel is of inverted break-arch shape and depicts flowers and stylised Acanthus leaves. This touches the central and double break-arch panel with similar marquetry but also has a central perched bird. A glass lenticle frame separates this from the lower break-arch panel of conforming marquetry and also a perched bird. The low square base to the case has a double crossgrain top moulding with a further panel that is indented from the edges and has a profusion of flowers that emanate from a cluster of stylised Acanthus leaves. All of the panels have a light wood strung edge and the base sits upon 4, 'squashed bun' feet. The hood sides have continued mouldings, rear quartered 'barley twist' pillars and rectangular, glazed viewing apertures. The walnut veneer to the trunk front and sides is very well figured and the sides have panels with light wood stringing.

* This is an extremely good example of an iconic 'floral bird', late 17th century marquetry longcase clock. The marquetry work is particularly good, precise and retains a lot of its original colour. The maker, John Martin, was extremely talented and the movement displays fine workmanship throughout. In fact, the amount of material used in the making of this clock, for example - the dial plate, could have been viewed at the time of manufacture as obscene and wasteful by some! Literally, no expense was spared, indicating that Martin's customers wanted the best that money could buy. This clock could easily be priced considerably higher but as restorers rather than dealers, we don't have to rely on high sales profits. This truly is a gem worth investing in. It is new to the market and has been in private ownership for generations.

** John Martin was born about 1659. He was apprenticed in 1672 to Joseph Norris but transferred to Edward Norris. He was freed in 1679 and clearly excelled because in 1681 (aged just 22) he has a house and Clockmaker's shop in Whitegate Alley between Bishopsgate Street and Spitalfields. In 1694 he had a shop in Guildhall Yard and signed the Clockmaker's Company Oath of Allegiance in 1697. It is thought that he died in 1709. It must be noted that the makers named Norris were forefathers of English clockmaking in the very beginning and known for Lantern clocks (the first type of domestic clocks).

Dimensions:                         79 3/4" high and 18 1/2" wide x 10" deep at the hood (the largest part).

Circa:                                   1690.

Condition:                             Exceptionally good and original throughout. The movement retains its original
                                             wheelwork and small escapement. The case and dial are self-evident from the
                                             photographs. The case is of good colour and figuring and the marquetry retains
                                             a good deal of its original colour. There are small imperfections to the veneer
                                             due to time and usage but these serve to authenticate its originality. The trunk
                                             door has its original iron 'strap' hinges and 'stretchers' but the lock has been
                                             replaced. The movement has been historically maintained and is in working
                                             condition however, I will carry out a complete overhaul to it prior to its sale. All
                                             in all, the condition is incredibly good for a working antique that is 335 years
                                             old!

Price:                                    £14,000 in fully guaranteed condition.
                                           * Please note: The current cost to us of purchasing and restoring a
                                             compatable replacement clock to this is approaching the price that we
                                             have marked it therefore, we will soon have no option other than to
                                             increase the asking price of this superb clock.