M. C. Taylor has dated this Floral Marquetry Longcase Clock to the 17th Century.
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 had some small areas of veneer loss which have now been attended to with genuine antique veneer. 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. Although the chapter ring isn't signed as it usually would have been, 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 (please click this link for an example) also, there is an engraved signature of "N. Pyne" on the rear of the chapter ring. 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. I have seen at least 3 other clocks by him (all signed) that bear the closed tulip and none by other makers. Though dirty, the movement which is totally original, doesn't appear to have any wear that needs attending to and not a single part needs to be made for it - it has been extremely well maintained. This pretty little clock was made during the reign of King James II, is nearly 350 years old and almost 100% original!
Dimensions: 75 1/4" high x 16 1/2" wide x 8 3/4" deep.
Condition: In original condition but has had careful and minor repairs to the case carried out by us. We have also restored the dial.
M. C. Taylor has dated this Floral Marquetry Longcase Clock to the 17th Century.
Clockmakers and restorers established 1987
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M. C. Taylor Profile Page
An Important and Rare Early English, Small Marquetry Longcase Clock. Attributed to Nathaniel Pyne. (Long Case) circa 1685.
