Dreweatts 1759
Lot 198
A WILLIAM III WALNUT AND FLORAL MARQUETRY EIGHT-DAY LONGCASE CLOCK RICHARD FENNELL, KENSINGTON, CIRCA 1695The four finned and latched pillar inside countwheel bell striking movement with plates measuring 6.75 by 5 inches and anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the 11 inch square brass dial with subsidiary seconds dial, ringed winding holes and calendar aperture to the concentric 'button' decorated matted centre, within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised sword-hilt half hour markers, Arabic five minutes beyond the outer minute track and signed Rich. Fennell, Kensington to lower margin, with fine scroll-pierced sculpted blued steel hands and applied winged cherub mask and scroll cast spandrels to angles, in a case with ogee moulded cornice and plain frieze over floral marquetry trail decorated hinged glazed dial surround applied with three quarter columns to angles, the sides with rectangular glazed apertures and conforming quarter columns set against bargeboards at the rear, the trunk with floral bloom decorated convex throat moulding over 42 inch rectangular door centred with a circular lenticle and with three shaped marquetry panels decorated with bird inhabited floral sprays and scrolling foliage into an ebonised ground, with half-round edge mouldings, the sides veneered with twin panels within crossbanded borders, the base with stepped ogee top mouldings over conforming rectangular marquetry panel within crossbanded surround, on a moulded skirt base.210cm (82.5ins) high, 47.cm (18.5ins) wide, 25.5cm (10ins) deep. Provenance: Private collection. Inherited by Mr. & Mrs. Curling Hunter, 9, Westbourne Terrace, London, and thence by descent to the vendor. Richard Fennell is recorded in Loomes, Brian The Early Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in about 1656 and began his apprenticeship with Matthew Crockford in 1669. He then transferred to Thomas Bagley and finally gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company after ten years, in 1679. He is believed to have married Ann Hedderil at St. Duke's Place in 1693 but did not sign the Clockmakers 'oath of allegiance' in 1697. He worked in the outskirts of the city in Kensington and is known for longcase, lantern and table clocks including a small series of miniature brass table timepieces - an example of which was exhibited in the 'Horological Masterworks' Exhibition held at The Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, 29 March - 22 June 2003 (item number 48). Clockmakers Company records suggest that he was in arrears for his quarterage in 1705 and is believed to have worked in Kensington until at least 1715. Condition Report: Movement is in clean working condition having the appearance of being recently cleaned/serviced. There is no visible evidence of alteration or obvious replacements with the exception of the escapement pallets which are probably 'service' replacements. The backplate has some punch marks around the pivot holes to tighten them as well as at the location of one of the movement pillars where it is interference fitted to the backplate. The dial is in good condition with some mellowing to the silvering evident. The minute hand is a replacement and the hour has been repaired. The movement is fitted with a replacement seatboard however it rests directly onto the cheek uprights of the case with no visible evidence of adjustment to the latter hence we are inclined to believe that the movement and dial are most likely original to the case. The case is generally in relatively untouched original condition and of good colour. The hood has a replacement top board (but no evidence of ever being fitted with a caddy superstructure) and the front frieze would have almost certainly been faced with fretwork (is veneered in walnut). The hood columns are also replacements. The rear top cornice mouldings have been cut at an angle to rear (to allow the case to stand in the corner of a room) otherwise faults are limited to minor bumps, scuffs, shrinkage and couple of small veneer repairs commensurate with age and use. The front glass has a crack to the lower right-hand corner and the left hand glass is also cracked. The trunk and base are generally in sound original condition. The throat moulding has bumps/chips to the rear left-hand corner and a corresponding small veneer patch to the left. The clamp to the top of the trunk door is dislodged but still just attached and leaning forward due to movement of the crossgrain edge mouldings. There are some localised losses to the marquetry along the join of the crack. The lower clamp has a crack along the join and the joint is loose (but no significant losses to the marquetry) and there is general lifting/curling to the edge mouldings. The plinth appears to retain its original structure and veneers but with additional blocks etc glued to the inside to brace the structure; the skirt is a later addition. The front has a horizontal crack albeit with minimal losses. Otherwise faults to the case are limited to relatively minor historic bumps, scuffs, bruises, shrinkage, wear and a couple of minor localised veneer repairs.Clock has pendulum, two weights and a crank winder, but no case key. Condition Report Disclaimer