Bellmans
Lot 759
A fine William III walnut and foliate marquetry longcase clockBy John Williamson, Leeds, circa 1700The case with a rectangular hood (formerly rising) and still with hinged wrought-iron holding block, flanked to each side by a spiral turned pillar, between a glazed panel and sides, the trunk inset with a panel door, inlaid with three foliate marquetry panels of summer flowers, the centre panel also with a bird, centred by an oval glazed aperture, the sides each with two outlined panels, on a plinth base with foliate marquetry panel; the 10 in. square brass dial with well-cast mask and foliate scroll 'Gretton'-type spandrels, with silvered chapter ring, Roman chapters and Arabic five-minute markers, trefoil half-hour tridents, signed on the dial plate 'Jno Williamson in Leeds fecit' below the VI, the matted centre with rose engraved boss, harboured winding apertures, small seconds subsidiary ring and calendar aperture, with blued steel hands; the twin train movement with five ringed and shouldered pillars, bolt and shutter maintaining power, internal countwheel strike on a bell and with anchor escapement, (1 pendulum, 2 weights).208cm high overall. IllustratedJohn Williamson was born around 1651 in Guisley, near Leeds. He died in 1748. A maker of high repute, he trained in London, and gained his Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1682, returning the following year to Leeds.An interesting movement signed 'John Williamson near Temple Bar Londini Fecit', in a modern case, was sold at Christie's, London, 11 March 1988.
