JOHN SMITH, KINGS LYNN; DATED 1610

細節

A James I gilt-metal striking chamber clock
John Smith, Kings Lynn; Dated 1610
The elaborate case with four three quarter-columns to each angle supported on four gadrooned pad feet (one later) and surmounted by four baluster finials with elaborate foliate pierced and engraved galleried crests with individual central finials, the (later) bell within an elaborate foliate pierced and engraved gilt dome secured by four foliate engraved straps applied with small turned finials, the entire dome secured at the top by a large foliate engraved baluster finial, the side doors elaborately engraved with foliage and formal strapwork and small rosettes, both doors with original manual latches and in addition with key locks now with remnants only, the reverse signed on a applied gilt-brass strip at the base Jhone. Smith in Lynnee. wyt.my.hand. the main backplate engraved with foliage and strapwork, with two winding square covers engraved with foliage and rosettes, to their centre and above two work master stamps RJS, the top of the backplate applied with a hinged calendrical cover dated at the top 1610 and engraved with a moon and sun with foliage and within a rosette-engraved border and with cut-outs for the now vestigial calendar work, the partially re-trained iron movement with later pendulum verge escapement (previously balance wheel), the strike train with countwheel strike on the bell above, the alarm train now lacking, the dial plate similarily engraved with scrolling foliage and rosettes within formalised strapwork, twin winding square covers beneath the chapter ring (one fixed and the other now redundant) the brass Roman chapter ring with star half hour markers with a steel hand pointer fixed to the central gilt-metal alarm disc with its individual turned steel hand with brass knobs
16in. (41cm.) high

注意事項

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

拍品專文

The style of the movement and shape of the case of this remarkable clock is very similar to Flemish work. The evidence on the back of two clear Work Master initial-stamps in the typical German style lends credence to the signature Jhone Smith roughly engraved at the bottom. On close examination the signature appears very likely to be contemporary to the rest of the case engraving.
The date 1610 on the back of the clock, is at least ten years before the shape of the 'English' lantern clock as we know it began to form. This 'house style' originated from the few London makers left after the plague of 1603 and others that learned their trade from Continental sources.
It seems probable that the John Smith who signed this clock was an immigrant clockmaker from Flanders who settled in Lynnee or King's Lynn, which at that time was one of the most important merchant ports and richest towns in England.