Bonhams
Lot 66
A FINE AND RARE EARLY 18TH CENTURY FAUX TORTOISESHELL JAPANNED LONGCASE CLOCKBenjamin Broadhead, LondonThe caddy top with turned finials over a pierced fretwork cornice raised on brass-mounted Doric columns (the hood door opening to reveal a gilt-decorated mask) and a long trunk door with central lenticle, decorated in raised gesso and flat gilt work with chinoiserie figures, birds in flight and floral groups, to a conforming base, the 12 inch brass dial with early form of shallow arch centred by a strike/silent subsidiary dial and an engraved 'Green Man' mask flanked by foliate scrolls and Indian mask spandrels, the Roman and Arabic chapter ring with half-quarter marks and good blued steel hands, the matted centre with subsidiary seconds and chamfered date aperture, signed 'B. Broadhead, Londini Fecit' to the centre within a shaped foliate cartouche, the weight driven movement with five knopped pillars (the central one latched), with anchor escapement and internal rack strike on the bell. 250cms (8ft 2.5ins) high.Footnotes:Benjamin Broadhead was apprenticed to William Speakman in 1702, Speakman having just completed his 12 month duty as Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. Benjamin gained his Freedom after the standard 7 year apprenticeship, in 1709. There is much merit in this clock, the case is particularly high quality, with the sides measuring 1 and 3/16ths of an inch thick and the faux-tortoiseshell and gilt japanned decoration would have looked alive in the flickering light of a fireplace or Queen Anne candlestick. The dial of the clock is also rare for London work of the period - the Green Man mask in the arch is notable, as is the waisted signature cartouche to the centre - a closely related signature can be seen on a quarter chiming longcase clock of circa 1700/05 by Jonathan Puller in the Wetherfield Collection, item number 123, another by Puller is included in this sale, lot 72.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TPTP Lot will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
