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拍品專文
English longcase clocks, particularly marquetry examples from the late 17th Century often led chequered lives. Standing directly on stone floors they were open to all kinds of hazards including, regular dousings when the floor was washed, close 'inspections' from household pets and the voracious appetites of wood-eating insects. Marquetry is particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. The move from one house to another, the constantly changing British weather and the dreaded central heating are all factors that cause losses to the marquetry on clock cases
Changes to the hood were usually to do with practical concerns. By the very end of the 17th Century clock case makers began making clocks with a more easily used forward sliding hood, whilst existing rising hoods were converted to slide forward. At the same time the case maker often cut a door into the hood and the spiral-twist columns were often replaced with the then more fashionable straight columns.
The present clock is notable for its excellent state of survival, both from the elements and also from the attentions of amateur case restorers. The plinth has survived comparatively well; all the marquetry on the front panel appears to be original, although the sides have been well restored. Often the lower half or all of the marquetry on a plinth has to be replaced and despite the very best craftsmanship it is virtually impossible to recreate the same colour and depth achieved on an original panel, which would have matched the trunk door.
The trunk door has the expected horizontal cracks at the top and bottom caused by carcass cleats; these have thankfully survived the misguided attentions of amateur case restorers. Also noteworthy is the excellent quality of the unrestored marquetry panels and the particularly good colour walnut between the panels.
The hood has now been cut with a door and converted to forward sliding (both alterations that can be reversed). The spiral columns to the front are well carved and possibly original; the rear columns were removed and not replaced and the sides of the hood have had later boxwood borders inlaid around the windows so as to try and match the original borders on the sides of the trunk.
Changes to the hood were usually to do with practical concerns. By the very end of the 17th Century clock case makers began making clocks with a more easily used forward sliding hood, whilst existing rising hoods were converted to slide forward. At the same time the case maker often cut a door into the hood and the spiral-twist columns were often replaced with the then more fashionable straight columns.
The present clock is notable for its excellent state of survival, both from the elements and also from the attentions of amateur case restorers. The plinth has survived comparatively well; all the marquetry on the front panel appears to be original, although the sides have been well restored. Often the lower half or all of the marquetry on a plinth has to be replaced and despite the very best craftsmanship it is virtually impossible to recreate the same colour and depth achieved on an original panel, which would have matched the trunk door.
The trunk door has the expected horizontal cracks at the top and bottom caused by carcass cleats; these have thankfully survived the misguided attentions of amateur case restorers. Also noteworthy is the excellent quality of the unrestored marquetry panels and the particularly good colour walnut between the panels.
The hood has now been cut with a door and converted to forward sliding (both alterations that can be reversed). The spiral columns to the front are well carved and possibly original; the rear columns were removed and not replaced and the sides of the hood have had later boxwood borders inlaid around the windows so as to try and match the original borders on the sides of the trunk.