Description
This wonderfully original Walnut veneered clock is one of the earlier 10” longcases of the highly distinguished John Knibb. To find such a good, original and un-touched clock is rare to find, many of these cases suffer greatly over the years from over restoration. This clock has been looked after extremely well over the years and it is advised to be kept in such a pristine untouched condition for years to come.
Movement: The movement of month duration, a heavy weight driven clock movement held together by five latched baluster pillars with anchor escapement, seconds pendulum and regulated with the distinctive Knibb butterfly rating nut. The strike train uses a count wheel outside of the back plate to know which hour to strike the bell on the hour. Particular interest should be shown to the quality of the steelwork, the workmanship is beautifully finished, and is totally unnecessary, but a sign of such quality.
Case: As with most Knibb cases, this one follows suit being the perfect lesson in proportion of design, restrained decoration and quality of execution. The stunningly slender original burr walnut veneered case of perfect proportions, really does show off Knibb’s eye for perfection. The carcass of the case being oak, with choice cut veneers to both sides of the trunk, where the lockable door is finely veneered with further choice cuts. The base is also veneered to match, standing upon walnut bun feet.
The rising hood has at some point been very well converted to a sliding hood for ease of use. It boasts elaborate frets in the side windows and frieze, accompanied by two plain walnut columns to either side with gilt metal cappings. So often these cases can be wholly ruined by over restoration. This particular case has been looked after very well and has not suffered such fatal detriment.
Dial: The 10” square gilt brass dial is simply elegant and understated with fine matting to the centre, seconds subsidiary dial below XII and date aperture above VI. A silvered chapter ring surrounds the matting with Roman numerals depicting the hours, Arabic five minute markers and trident half hour markers, Knibbs fat-head cherub spandrels to each four corners of the dial plate with an engraved boarder and signed “Johannes Knibb Oxonia Fecit” to the lower edge. Finished with the original beautifully sculpted finely blued steel hands
Provenance:
- Currently – Private collection, UK
Comparative Literature:
- The Knibb Family Clockmakers by R. A. Lee
Serviced and guaranteed for 3 years.
Height: 77 ¾″ (6′ 6″) or 197 ½ cm
CIRCA. 1685
Provenance: Private collection U.K.
*This clock is delivered and set up for free within the UK. We regularly ship clocks all over the world with our approved and well-established Antiques and Fine Art Packers & Shippers. Please ask for a quote should you require this service.
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