PAUL BEAUVAIS, LONDON. CIRCA 1705

Details

A Queen Anne ebony and gilt-brass mounted striking table clock
Paul Beauvais, London. Circa 1705
The case with gilt-brass handle cast with addorsed female busts to a raised moulded caddy top, applied with gilt-brass female Indian head and floral swag mount to the front and intertwining scroll mounts to the sides, above blind fret panels, with gilt-brass urn finials to the angles, rectangular glazed side panels within moulded frames, on stepped and moulded base, the front door applied with cast gilt-brass mounts, those to the sides with stylised beast masks to the escutcheons, the 6 7/8in. square brass dial with winged cherub mask spandrels to a silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with leaf half hour and sword-hilt half quarter hour markers, signed Beauvais London, the matted centre with engraving around the mock pendulum (bob replaced) and date apertures and with ringed winding holes, pierced blued steel hands, strike/silent lever above 60, the five ringed pillar movement with twin chain fusees and verge escapement (later back cock), with strike and pull quarter repeat on two bells, the back plate engraved with flowers, leaves and scrolls within a hatch-engraved border and around a reserve signed Paul Beauvais London, secured to the case with bolts through the lower pillars
15¾in. (40cm.) high to hilt of handle

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

A Simon Beauvais was admitted to the Clockmakers' Company in April 1690 and was probably of French Huguenot extraction. A Beauvais was recorded in Paris in 1675. In July 1695 he was fined for having alien apprentices but refused to pay. He is known to be working in 1704, as a maker of watches. Watches are recorded signed 'Simon and Paul Beauvais'. It is possible that Paul was his son. See Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, NAG Press, 1981, p.82. Baillie records Paul Beauvais as a watchmaker working prior to 1704, until circa 1730.

More from IMPORTANT CLOCKS

View All