Dreweatts 1759
Lot 189
A DUTCH WALNUT AND FLORAL MARQUETRY MONTH DURATION LONGCASE CLOCK WITH MOONPHASE AND ALARMJAN GOBELS, AMSTERDAM, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 18th CENTURYThe five pillar rack striking movement with five- wheel trains and pin-wheel deadbeat escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the strike train sounding the hours in the Dutch manner both at the hour then again on the half hour on a smaller bell, the right hand side of the plates applied with a transverse alarm mechanism incorporating verge-type crownwheel engaging with a pallet arbor fitted with a T-shaped hammer for sounding on the larger hour bell positioned above the plates, the 13 inch brass break-arch dial with alarm setting disc, subsidiary seconds dial, calendar aperture and ringed winding holes to the scroll engraved matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers, Arabic five minutes beyond the outer minute track and signed Jan Gobels, Amsterdam to lower margin, with scroll-pierced steel hands and cast figural 'four seasons' spandrels to angles within a herringbone engraved outer border, beneath arch incorporating rolling moonphase engraved with age of the moon to the edge of the disc set behind a pair of scroll-engraved lunettes to lower margin beneath a herringbone border to the arch, the case with carved giltwood Atlas and trumpeting nymph figural finials set on the bell-shaped caddy superstructure inlaid with floral trails, over break-arch cornice centred with a foliate carved crest and with blind fret frieze over integral three-quarter columns applied to the foliate trail inlaid hinged glazed dial aperture, the sides with break-arch scroll-pieced sound frets within conforming borders and quarter columns set against bargeboards at the rear, the trunk with leaf decorated concave throat moulding over break-arch caddy moulded door inlaid with urn set on a pedestal issuing flowering foliate around a central lenticle, with scroll detailed edge mouldings and butterflies to upper quadrants within a chevron band flanked by canted angles decorated with foliate trails, the sides further inlaid with urns issuing bird inhabited foliage, the ogee-shaped plinth base with cavetto cop mouldings, canted angles and overall conforming floral marquetry decoration, on inlaid cavetto skirt base with lions paw front feet.255cm (100.5ins) high excluding finials, 290cm (114ins) high overall; 57cm (22.5ins) wide, 32cm (12.5ins) deep. Jan Gobels is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in Amsterdam in 1767. Condition Report: Movement is in relatively clean condition and appears to be in working order with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements. The escapement may be a slightly later 'upgrade' however there are no spare holes etc so could well be original. The alarm is complete except for rope line and driving weight. Movement is a little dusty hence a precautionary gentle clean service is advised. Dial is in good clean condition with only slight mellowing to finishes and there is no visible evidence of alteration or notable replacements. The seatboard appears original and rests on cheek uprights of the case with no visible evidence of adjustment hence we are of the belief that the movement and dial are original to the case. The case is generally in sound original condition. The finials are intact except for the fingers of one angel which are missing; the wings are currently detached bit present with the clock. There are three holes to the top of the arch moulding suggesting an alternative lower position for the finials or that the clock has other additional finials at some point. There is some lifting to the fretwork in the arch and both hood side frets have been pushed-in a little hence are now bowed with a couple of minor losses. The side panels of the plinth show movement hence opening of the joints to the top edges, there are also some light cracks etc to each. Case otherwise is in very sound original condition with faults very much limited to relatively minor shrinkage, wear, a few age-related bumps and scuffs, some historic consolidation/gluing and other blemishes. The colour is a little dry faded.Clock has pendulum, pair brass-cased weights, crank winding key and a case key. Condition Report Disclaimer
