A fine William III period floral marquetry and walnut 8-Day longcase clock of rare small size.

The case is constructed primarily of oak and veneered with walnut and panels of bird and floral marquetry against an ebony ground. The long-grain trunk mouldings are in ebonised pine. Standing on bun feet the clock retains its original base and there is an ebonised lenticle to the trunk door. The hood with front-opening door is flanked by ebonised barley twist columns and there is a delicate walnut sound fret with figures of two birds set below the moulded cornice.

The 10 inch square brass dial is mounted with cherub and foliate spandrels and a silvered brass chapter ring. The dial centre is finely matted with ringed winding holes and an aperture to view the day of the month above VI and there is a seconds ring below XII. The maker’s signature John Ebsworth Londini Fecit is inscribed below VI on the dial plate. The blued steel hands are finely pierced and faceted.

The high quality 8-day duration movement has five ringed pillars and the hours are sounded on a bell via an inside count wheel locking plate.

Height: 74 ½ in (189 cm)
Width: 18 in (46 cm)
Depth: 10 in (25.5cm)

* John Ebsworth was in the first rank of early makers who were working during the last quarter of the 17th century. He was appointed Master of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1697 and he made a number of very fine longcase, bracket and lantern clocks. There are clocks by him in various museums and public collections around the world.

HW5355


Signed / Inscribed
John Ebsworth Londini Fecit