Lot 71
71
A William III ebony striking table clock
THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR
A William III ebony striking table clock

JOSEPH KNIBB, LONDON. CIRCA 1685

Details
A William III ebony striking table clock
Joseph Knibb, London. Circa 1685
The case with laurel-tied faceted gilt-metal handle to the cushion-moulded top applied with gilt-metal foliate cast mounts to the front and sides, gilt-metal winged cherub swivel escutcheons to the front door, later(?) pierced ebony sound fret to the top door rail, glazed sides and rear door, the moulded base on later block feet, the 6½in. square gilt-brass dial signed Joseph Knibb London beneath the silvered chapter ring with Roman and Arabic chapters and typical half-hour markers, finely pierced blued steel hands (both repaired), matted centre, finely chiselled gilt-brass spandrels, strike/silent lever above XII, latches to the three dial feet, the movement with thin brass plates secured by five vase-form pillars riveted to the back plate and secured with latches to the front plate, twin fusees with wire lines, re-built verge escapement, internal rack-striking system with hour strike and pull quarter repeat on two bells facilitated from either side of the case via integral brass wheel runners set into the sides of the front of the case, the back plate well engraved with tulip heads within scrolling foliage and signed in the centre Joseph Knibb Londini Fecit within a foliate cartouche, later(?) brass movement securing brackets
12½in. (31.8cm.) high

Lot Essay

Born in 1640, Joseph Knibb was apprenticed to his cousin Samuel circa 1655. At the end of his apprenticeship in 1662 he moved to Oxford, whilst Samuel moved to London. Trading in Oxford proved difficult for Joseph and it was not until 1668, upon payment of a fine, that he was allowed to do so unhindered. In 1670 Samuel died and Joseph moved to London, presumably to take over his workshop. Joseph became a Free Brother in the Clockmakers' Company that year. His first premises were at the Dial in Fleet Street and in 1693 he moved to the Clock Dial near Charing Cross. He became a Steward in the Company in 1684 and Assistant in 1689. The number of clocks still extant suggest that his must have been one of the busiest workshops in London. He sold the business in 1697 and retired to Hanslop in Buckinghamshire, continuing to make some clocks but on a much smaller scale. He died in 1711.
See also footnote to lot 73.

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