Dreweatts 1759
Los 509
A George I/II green japanned eight-day longcase clock, Charles Clay, London, circa 1725-30, the five finned pillar rack and bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the 12 inch brass break-arch dial with chevron bordered calendar aperture and subsidiary seconds dial to the matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes to outer track, the angles applied with female mask and scroll cast spandrels within a herringbone engraved border, the arch applied with silvered boss inscribed Charles Clay, Inventor of the, Machine Watches, London within conforming border flanked by cast dolphin mounts, in a case with domed caddy superstructure and integral three-quarter columns to hood over rectangular trunk door and plinth base with stepped skirt, decorated with raised figural chinoiserie scenes within gilt trellis borders to front and floral trail panels to sides, 234cm (94ins) high Charles Clay was a fine and inventive clockmaker who originated from near Huddersfield and gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company prior to 1716. In 1723 he was appointed Clockmaker in His Majesty's Board of Works and in 1731 supplied the turret clock for the gateway at St. James's Palace. He specialised and experimented with musical mechanisms and is perhaps now best known for his organ clocks. One of which now resides at Windsor Castle which was acquired from his widow three years after Clay's death in 1743. Another incomplete organ clock was also acquired around this time for Augusta wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales, this clock was subsequently completed by George Pyke and now resides at Kensington Palace. A highly unusual ormolu timepiece (with unusual enamelled astronomical year calendar dial) made for Louis Frederick, Prince of Wales sold in these rooms 28th August 2014 (lot 118) and now resides in Victoria and albert Museum, London.Condition Report: Movement is in working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or significant repairs/replacements however as the mechanism is a little dirty/dusty a precautionary clean and overhaul is advised. The dial is in discoloured/patinated dirty condition but appears free from alteration or any other significant faults. The movement rests on a replacement seatboard which has slim packing slips applied to the lower edges where it rests on the case uprights. The uprights also may well have been reduced slightly in height which suggests that either the movement and dial are not original to the case or seatboards of varying thickness have been fitted at various times in the past. The case is generally in sound condition; the decoration is old but most likely re-done in the early 20th century but finely executed with nice detailing. The dial mask covers the upper engraved border of the dial which would add credence to the opinion that the movement and dial may not be original to the case. The hood no longer has rear quarter columns otherwise faults very much limited to minor bump, scuffs, wear and degradation to the finish most notably to the right hand side skirting to the base which appears to have been slightly affected by damp.Clock is complete with pendulum, weights, case key and winder. Condition Report Disclaimer
