A William and Mary ebonised striking table clock

JOHN HARRIS, LONDON. CIRCA 1690

Details

A William and Mary ebonised striking table clock
John Harris, London. Circa 1690
The case with foliate-tied S-form handle to the basket top cast with foliage and fruiting swags, later(?) gilt-brass ball finials, the glazed sides also mounted with cherub head and foliate repoussé frets, foliate cast gilt-metal escutcheons to the front door, the base with later mouldings on later brass button feet, the 6½in. square dial with silvered chapter ring enclosing a finely matted centre with calendar aperture and ringed winding holes, later(?) pierced blued steel hands, gilt-brass winged cherub spandrels, the movement with thick brass plates and five robust ringed pillars, reconverted verge escapement with Webster-style backcock, restored pull quarter repeat on four bells with internal rack strike on a further bell on the hour, twin fusees with wire lines, the spring barrels with well chamfered brass and steel ratchet-and-clicks planted on the back plate profusely engraved with flower heads and scrolling foliage and signed John Harris London within a foliate cartouche
13½in. (34cm.) high

Lot Essay

Harris, John. Several John Harrises are recorded. This clock may be by John Harris of Holborn Bridge, who was Freed January 1659-60; Assistant in the Clockmakers' Company from 1676, Warden 1684 and Master 1689.

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