Mellors & Kirk
Lot 957
A GEORGE I WALNUT EIGHT DAY LONGCASE CLOCK, WILLIAM WEBSTER, LONDON, C1725 the 12inch breakarched brass dial with matted centre, ringed winding holes, signature tablet engraved Wm Webster Exchange Alley LONDON and subsidiary seconds dial, calendar work to the arch for both month and date, corresponding calendar movement with worm drive in finely figured tall case with stepped flat pediment and brass mounted pilasters, the trunk enclosed by a full length moulded door in matched veneers, on conforming base, brass sleeved lead weights, pendulum, 231cm h William Webster, the first of a famous dynasty of London clockmakers was apprenticed to John Barnett and subsequently worked as a journeyman in Thomas Tompion's famous workshop at the 'Dial and Three Crowns', Fleet Street. As an independent clockmaker William Webster worked and also signed his clocks at 'Exchange Alley' in Broadgate in the East End, whereas later members of his family signed their clocks 'Change Alley'. He became a warden of the Clockmakers Company in 1734 and died the following year. The present clock displays many of the features associated with those clocks of Webster's best period, in particular the elegant tall and finely figured case. The movement in the present example has survived in fine condition and has the unusual feature of a calendar driven through a 'pin-wheel' gear through 90° to further motion work and the dial indicators in the arch.
