.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Baillie records Joseph Hocker in Basingstoke in 1730 and notes that he later moved to Reading (Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, 3rd. ed., London, 1951, p. 155). This clock was definitely at Hackwood during the time of the Bolton family because it is recorded in the Entrance Hall in the 1905 Hampton and Sons inventory as 'A grandfather's clock in carved oak case by J. Hocker of Basingstoke'.
It seems unlikely that a George II oak longcase clock would have been purchased in the 19th Century because the house was only occupied by the family for short periods and the type of clock would not have been fashionable. If bought new for Hackwood around 1730, it is one of the very few objects that survived from the 17th Century house after it was remodelled by John Vardy, circa 1760, and refurnished. The other proven remnants of this house are cast-iron firebacks.
It seems unlikely that a George II oak longcase clock would have been purchased in the 19th Century because the house was only occupied by the family for short periods and the type of clock would not have been fashionable. If bought new for Hackwood around 1730, it is one of the very few objects that survived from the 17th Century house after it was remodelled by John Vardy, circa 1760, and refurnished. The other proven remnants of this house are cast-iron firebacks.