JOHN KNIBB, OXON: A CHARLES II WALNUT LONGCASE CLOCK

Details

JOHN KNIBB, OXON: A CHARLES II WALNUT LONGCASE CLOCK
circa 1685
The convex moulded case with plinth on bun feet, eagle head escutcheon to rectangular trunk door with oval brass framed lenticle, spoon-and- clip to rising hood with twist columns supporting the typically pierced wood sound fret, the shallow domed top with three ball finials, the 10in. square dial signed John Knibb Oxon fecit in a tablet below VI and interrupting the acanthus engraved border, silvered chapter ring, the matted centre with subsidiary seconds ring and calendar aperture, typical blued pierced hands, winged cherub spandrels, latches to the dial feet and five ringed pillar movement with anchor escapement and hooked spring suspended pendulum with butterfly adjustment to top and fine adjustment sphere above the standard bob, outside countwheel strike on typical 'pork pie' bell, the movement secured with spurs through base pillars and bracket to backboard
6ft.6in. high

Provenance

J M Botibol, Esq.

Literature

R W Symonds, Masterpieces of English Furniture and Clocks, 1940, p.152, fig.115 & 122
R W Symonds, The Rare Grandmother Clock, Country Life Annual, 1955, pp.84-87, fig.2
R A Lee, The Knibb Family, Clockmakers, 1964, pl.36

Lot Essay

John Knibb, b.1650, younger brother of Joseph, to whom apprenticed circa 1664. On Joseph's departure for London John took charge of the Oxford business, was Free of that City 1673, a member of the City Council from 1686, Bailiff and twice Mayor, d.1722

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