A WILLIAM III SEAWEED MARQUETRY LONGCASE CLOCK

Details
A WILLIAM III SEAWEED MARQUETRY LONGCASE CLOCK
John Farewell London

the convex moulded case with later skirting to the plinth inlaid with seaweed marquetry with a boxwood-lined panel, similar marquetry inhabited with birds to the rectangular trunk door with lenticle, old invoice for restoration dated 1779 on the inside, the hood with gilt-metal-capped three-quarter columns, inlaid caddy top with three gilt-wood ball-and-spire finials, the 11in. sq. dial signed John Farewell London on the silvered chapter ring and also below VI, finely pierced and shaped blued steel hands, the matted centre with subsidiary seconds ring and calendar aperture, foliate winged cherub spandrels interrupting the foliate engraved border, latches to the dial feet and five ringed pillar movement with anchor escapement and count wheel strike on bell, movement securing bracket to the backboard
7ft.8in. (234cm.) high

Lot Essay

John Farewell, born circa 1672, apprenticed to Isaac Nicholl and later transfered to Charles Gretton 'till 1693 and was Freed in 1697, paying quarterage until 1705.
The present clock appears to have survived the ravages of time and restoration comparatively well. The case still has its original caddy top and the plinth although slightly altered requires little cosmetic restoration. The dial and movement with its latched feet and pillars are a credit to Charles Gretton, Farewell's Master, who obviously taught his pupil well
The label on the inside of the door is an invoice from a clockmaker, Charles Mols?, to a Dr. Andrews, a previous owner of the clock and is a rare and interesting survival.

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