JAMES BARNSLEY. CIRCA 1770

細節

A exceptional George III carved mahogany longcase clock with astronomical dial
James Barnsley. Circa 1770
The case plinth resting on ogee bracket feet with carved mahogany frets to the canted angles, the front panel decorated with carved mahogany quatrefoils, trunk flanked by cluster columns with foliate carved capitals, the Gothic-arched door with chequer stringing, further Gothic carved frieze beneath the hood with ogee-moulded door and flanked by detached fluted columns, the elaborately carved pediment with carved rosette terminals to the swan-neck cresting surmounted by carved mahogany finials, the dial signed James Barnsley and re-engraved London on recessed silvered plaques in the matted centre with seconds ring, pierced blued steel hands, Apollo mask-and-foliate spandrels to the lower quadrant, subsidiary silvered rings above for calendar (1-31) and Strike/Silent, the arch centred by a painted rolling moonphase with the moon's age engraved to the outer edge, the narrow outer concentric ring engraved with the years and their relevant sign, the centre painted with a charming village scene with buildings and a man fishing by a river bank, the recessed surround finely painted with the signs of the zodiac indicated to by the sunrise/sunset shutters rising and falling according to the season and with a further sun hand moving once a day against the outer silvered hour ring engraved IIII - XII - VIII, the very substantial movement with thick brass rectangular plates secured by vase-shaped pillars, Graham-type deadbeat escapement, the going with delicate high count train with six crossings to each wheel, strike train with four crossings, solid barrels, bolt-and-shutter maintaining power, worm-and-wheel indirect drive shaft to the revolving sun, hour rack strike on a bell above the plates
8ft. 1in. (248 cm.) high

來源

Acquired from a dealer in 1986

出版

Barry Corbishley, Address Unknown, Clocks magazine, May & June 2003

注意事項

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.

拍品專文

The many unusual and highly distinctive features about the movement of this clock point toward the workshops of Henry Hindley of York, (see lot 72). The uncommon shape of the pillars, the single-footed backcock, the high-count going train with six crossings, solid great wheels and the unusual manner of fixing the movement to the seatboard are all traits of the Hindley workshops. Henry Hindley died in 1771 so stylistically if this clock were made whilst Hindley was alive then it would have been within the last few years of his life. Possibly it was unfinished at the time of his death and sold later - this may account for the 'London' signature.
Whoever the author of this clock, there can be no question that it is an exceptional example of Yorkshire clockmaking.