Lot Essay
Gabriel Smith, 1656-1743, appears to have worked in Barthomley near Nantwich, Cheshire all his life. There is no record of his master or any apprentices.
Details
A QUEEN ANNE EBONISED QUARTER REPEATING BRACKET TIMEPIECE
Gabriel Smith, Barthomley
The case with foliate-cast handle to gilt repouseé basket top, gilt repouseé sound frets to the sides and similar mounts to the front door, gilt foliate bun feet, the 7in. sq. dial signed Gabl. Smith Barthomley on the silvered chapter ring with pierced blued hands, the matted centre with decorated winding hole and calendar aperture, mask-and-foliate spandrels within a wheatear-engraved border, the five ringed pillar movement with single fusee (wire lines), Knife-edge verge escapement with later Webster-style backcock, pull quarter repeating on two bells via three hammers, the backplate engraved with flower heads amongst scrolling foliage and within a wheatear engraved border, the movement secured with bolts into the base pillars
15½in. (39cm.) high
Gabriel Smith, Barthomley
The case with foliate-cast handle to gilt repouseé basket top, gilt repouseé sound frets to the sides and similar mounts to the front door, gilt foliate bun feet, the 7in. sq. dial signed Gabl. Smith Barthomley on the silvered chapter ring with pierced blued hands, the matted centre with decorated winding hole and calendar aperture, mask-and-foliate spandrels within a wheatear-engraved border, the five ringed pillar movement with single fusee (wire lines), Knife-edge verge escapement with later Webster-style backcock, pull quarter repeating on two bells via three hammers, the backplate engraved with flower heads amongst scrolling foliage and within a wheatear engraved border, the movement secured with bolts into the base pillars
15½in. (39cm.) high