What characterises late 17th-century Restoration period longcase clocks?

Longcase clocks from the Restoration period (circa 16601700) typically feature slim architectural proportions, square brass dials, spandrels at the corners, and hoods framed by turned barley-twist columns. Cases were frequently crafted from ebonised fruitwood, walnut, or precious veneers such as ebony.

What traditional materials were used to construct early English longcase clocks?

Early longcase clocks were constructed using oak carcass wood veneered in native walnut, imported ebony, or ebonised woods. The movements were hand-forged from brass and iron, featuring engraved brass dials and cast brass spandrels.

How can one identify an authentic 17th-century longcase clock?

Authentic 17th-century longcase clocks usually feature a small square brass dial (often 10 to 11 inches across), a narrow trunk, a lenticle glass window in the door to view the pendulum, latching movements, and early spandrel designs such as single cherub heads.

How can an antique longcase clock be styled in a modern interior?

A dark ebonised longcase clock creates visual structure in an entryway, formal hallway, or library. Placing the clock against pale architectural plasterwork or alongside contemporary minimalist artwork creates a sophisticated juxtaposition of eras.

How should an antique ebonised longcase clock be maintained?

The clock case should be kept away from direct heat sources and maintained at stable humidity levels to prevent wood shrinkage. The mechanical movement requires professional horological servicing and lubrication every five to seven years.

for sale €32,760 $35,560

£28,000

M. C. Taylor

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2021

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Clockmakers and restorers established 1987

Relevant Links

Black Grandfather Clock

Barley Twist Longcase Clock

Id #SA923001

PDF

SAVE

A Fine and Early English, Panelled Ebony Longcase Clock by John Drew, London. Circa 1685. (Long Case)

17th century

For Sale by M. C. Taylor

Description

This is an outstanding example of a small, early longcase clock in 'Museum condition'.

Movement.

Tall, eight day duration, 5 shaped pillars and being partially latched. Having an Anchor Recoil escapement and outside, crossed-out countwheel striking the hours on a large top-mounted bell. Also having an early 'upside down' backcock. The weights are brass-cased.

Dial.

Square, 11" brass dial with well-cast elaborated winged putti corner spandrels, a finely matted centre with ringed winding holes and an upside down curved and chamfered edged square calendar aperture, this has scrollwork engraving surrounding it. The silvered chapter ring has an outer divided minute track with small Arabic 5's, Roman hour numerals, half hour cruciform divisions and an inner quarter track. There is floral engraving between the spandrels and the bottom space bears the maker's signature "John Drew, Londini fecit". The very fine and blued steel hands extremely precise and sit beautifully.

Case.

The extremely heavy case is classed as 'panelled ebony' with an oak carcass, thick ebony veneer and ebonised areas. The rising hood has a flat top with a small moulding over a 'drip ledge'. There is a further small moulding over a classic 'Knibb style' blind sound fret to the front. The front is fixed and glazed with integral barley-twist columns, these have cast brass Corinthian top capitals and Doric lower capitals, this is repeated in quarters to the rear again flat ears. The sides have high, framed and glazed viewing apertures. The hood sits upon a large convex moulding that in turn is upon a small moulding. The trunk has a full-length door that is panelled, edged with a half-round moulding and has a circular and glazed lenticle also with half-round moulding. The keyhole has an ornate brass escutcheon and the hinges are flanked with extremely rare brass rosettes (see page 77 in Tom Robinson's book 'The Longcase Clock'). The sides of the trunk are also panelled and the plain plinth has a contradictory top moulding and sits upon four bun feet. The thick oak backboard has several fixing holes and continues all the way to the bottom.

John Drew was apprenticed to the famous clockmaker Joseph Knibb of London in September 1676. He was freed in September 1684 when his address is recorded as Johnson Court in Fleet Street. He was appointed to the position of Beadle in the Clockmakers Company in April 1712 with a duty to keep order during meetings. The position of beadle was often given to members in poor health or in some financial difficulty being a paid position. John Drew received charitable payments from the Clockmakers Company from January 1713 until he died in the autumn of that year, just two years after his Master, Joseph Knibb.

This example of Drew's work is exceptionally good, the movement closely resembles that of Knibb as one would expect and the case must have been made by Knibb's casemaker because of its construction and general appearance. The most important fact of this clock in my mind is that in over 325 years it has never been poorly repaired or maintained. I have restored over 2,000 longcase clocks to date and I have never seen or expected to see an early example that has not been 'botched'. The incredible condition of this clock is very important and should not be understated. If clocks ever attain the value of fine paintings by old masters, this example will be a long way up the list - it is truly a 'purest collector's' clock.

Condition: The movement is very original and well-maintained. The escapement has been replaced probably due to wear as has the pendulum suspension assembly. The datework is orginal as are the rest of the parts and it is all in full working order. However, it has been several years since receiving maintenance and would benefit from an overhaul. This clock has never had damaging or inferior work carried out on it.

For further information please contact us at

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk

Physical Dimensions

Height

191.4cm (75.35")

Width

45.1cm (17.76")

Depth

24.8cm (9.76")

Declaration

M. C. Taylor has dated this Antique Ebony Longcase Clock to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA923001

Dealers Internal Reference

SA14432

Description

This is an outstanding example of a small, early longcase clock in 'Museum condition'.

Movement.

Tall, eight day duration, 5 shaped pillars and being partially latched.

“

Having an Anchor Recoil escapement and outside, crossed-out countwheel striking the hours on a large top-mounted bell.

M. C. Taylor

Also having an early 'upside down' backcock. The weights are brass-cased.

Dial.

Square, 11" brass dial with well-cast elaborated winged putti corner spandrels, a finely matted centre with ringed winding holes and an upside down curved and chamfered edged square calendar aperture, this has scrollwork engraving surrounding it. The silvered chapter ring has an outer divided minute track with small Arabic 5's, Roman hour numerals, half hour cruciform divisions and an inner quarter track. There is floral engraving between the spandrels and the bottom space bears the maker's signature "John Drew, Londini fecit". The very fine and blued steel hands extremely precise and sit beautifully.

Case.

The extremely heavy case is classed as 'panelled ebony' with an oak carcass, thick ebony veneer and ebonised areas. The rising hood has a flat top with a small moulding over a 'drip ledge'. There is a further small moulding over a classic 'Knibb style' blind sound fret to the front. The front is fixed and glazed with integral barley-twist columns, these have cast brass Corinthian top capitals and Doric lower capitals, this is repeated in quarters to the rear again flat ears. The sides have high, framed and glazed viewing apertures. The hood sits upon a large convex moulding that in turn is upon a small moulding. The trunk has a full-length door that is panelled, edged with a half-round moulding and has a circular and glazed lenticle also with half-round moulding. The keyhole has an ornate brass escutcheon and the hinges are flanked with extremely rare brass rosettes (see page 77 in Tom Robinson's book 'The Longcase Clock'). The sides of the trunk are also panelled and the plain plinth has a contradictory top moulding and sits upon four bun feet. The thick oak backboard has several fixing holes and continues all the way to the bottom.

John Drew was apprenticed to the famous clockmaker Joseph Knibb of London in September 1676. He was freed in September 1684 when his address is recorded as Johnson Court in Fleet Street. He was appointed to the position of Beadle in the Clockmakers Company in April 1712 with a duty to keep order during meetings. The position of beadle was often given to members in poor health or in some financial difficulty being a paid position. John Drew received charitable payments from the Clockmakers Company from January 1713 until he died in the autumn of that year, just two years after his Master, Joseph Knibb.

fig 4. A late 17th-century ebonised longcase clock with a square brass dial, barley twist columns, and a panelled trunk door. — fig 4. A Fine and Early English, Panelled Ebony Longcase Clock by John Drew, London. Circa 1685. (Long Case)

This example of Drew's work is exceptionally good, the movement closely resembles that of Knibb as one would expect and the case must have been made by Knibb's casemaker because of its construction and general appearance. The most important fact of this clock in my mind is that in over 325 years it has never been poorly repaired or maintained. I have restored over 2,000 longcase clocks to date and I have never seen or expected to see an early example that has not been 'botched'. The incredible condition of this clock is very important and should not be understated. If clocks ever attain the value of fine paintings by old masters, this example will be a long way up the list - it is truly a 'purest collector's' clock.

fig 5. A late 17th-century ebonised longcase clock with a square brass dial, barley twist columns, and a panelled trunk door. — fig 5. A Fine and Early English, Panelled Ebony Longcase Clock by John Drew, London. Circa 1685. (Long Case)

Condition: The movement is very original and well-maintained. The escapement has been replaced probably due to wear as has the pendulum suspension assembly. The datework is orginal as are the rest of the parts and it is all in full working order. However, it has been several years since receiving maintenance and would benefit from an overhaul. This clock has never had damaging or inferior work carried out on it.

For further information please contact us at

info@bournemouthclocks.co.uk