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Lot Essay
This particularly pretty and early longcase clock by Joseph Knibb exhibits many of the qualities that exemplify longcase clocks from this period of English clock making.
The excellent proportions of the case are greatly enhanced by the rare survival of a plinth which has retained the original veneer down to the base. The bun feet are of later date and slightly too large; there is also evidence of a thin linear shadow around the bottom indicating the earlier presence of an added skirt that was probably removed when these feet were fitted. There is no 'front section' on the trunk, thus enabling the door almost to fill the whole structure. The hinges appear to be original. The inside of the case reveals that the sides have been cut out to allow the pendulum a wider arc of swing. There are now unsightly patches of veneer to each side of the case; these could be much improved upon by a good clock case restorer. The cleats at the top and bottom of the trunk door carcass have moved in the usual manner against the main vertical section of the door. This has caused some cracking to the veneer but perhaps no more or less than one might want - or expect - to see. The later mouldings on the left side of the trunk door are evidence that the door has had the habit of slipping inside the case and show where scrabbling fingers trying to open the door have subsequently pulled off the original mouldings. The hood exhibits a rare survival of an original carved cresting. The original frieze frets have been replaced by plain veneers but the pretty, slender columns appear to have survived.
There are later 1in. high oak chocks between the cheekboards and the seatboard. The original seatboard probably comprised a flat board with two blocks atop; this would have directly supported the movement with the added security of two locating pins into the base pillars. The bottom two pillars have never been threaded on this movement and are presently secured with pins. The small 9½in. dial has been beautifully matted in a very delicate manner that is set off by the narrrow chapter and seconds rings, which is so typical on dials in this early period of English clockmaking. The signature is very fluent; when viewed front-on it appears faint but viewed at an angle the gilding left inside the engraving brings its flowing text to life.
The movement has tall, slim and thin brass plates with six pretty, ringed pillars. The anchor escapement is patently a replacement. The unsightly excavations in the sides of the trunk indicate that a certain clockmaker (or clockmakers) struggled to make an anchor capable of the tiny amplitude that Knibb originally achieved.
Born in 1640 Joseph Knibb was apprenticed to his cousin Samuel circa 1655. At the end of his apprenticeship in 1662 he moved to Oxford, whilst Samuel moved to London. Trading in Oxford proved difficult for Joseph and it was not until 1668, upon payment of a fine, that he was allowed to do so unhindered. In 1670 Samuel died and Jospeph moved to London, presumably to take over his workshop. Jospeh became a Free Brother in the Clockmakers' Company that year. His first premises were at the Dial in Fleet Street and in 1693 he moved to the Clock Dial near Charing Cross. He became a Steward in the Company in 1684 and an Assistant in 1689. The number of clocks still extant suggest that his must have been one of the busiest workshops in London. He sold the business in 1697 and retired to Buckinghamshire, where he contined to make some clocks but on a smaller scale. He died in 1711.
This lot is accompanied by the original invoice from Henry Hallpike dated March 1951 stating; This clock came from a private house in the New Forest and has just changed hands for the first time in about 150 years.
The excellent proportions of the case are greatly enhanced by the rare survival of a plinth which has retained the original veneer down to the base. The bun feet are of later date and slightly too large; there is also evidence of a thin linear shadow around the bottom indicating the earlier presence of an added skirt that was probably removed when these feet were fitted. There is no 'front section' on the trunk, thus enabling the door almost to fill the whole structure. The hinges appear to be original. The inside of the case reveals that the sides have been cut out to allow the pendulum a wider arc of swing. There are now unsightly patches of veneer to each side of the case; these could be much improved upon by a good clock case restorer. The cleats at the top and bottom of the trunk door carcass have moved in the usual manner against the main vertical section of the door. This has caused some cracking to the veneer but perhaps no more or less than one might want - or expect - to see. The later mouldings on the left side of the trunk door are evidence that the door has had the habit of slipping inside the case and show where scrabbling fingers trying to open the door have subsequently pulled off the original mouldings. The hood exhibits a rare survival of an original carved cresting. The original frieze frets have been replaced by plain veneers but the pretty, slender columns appear to have survived.
There are later 1in. high oak chocks between the cheekboards and the seatboard. The original seatboard probably comprised a flat board with two blocks atop; this would have directly supported the movement with the added security of two locating pins into the base pillars. The bottom two pillars have never been threaded on this movement and are presently secured with pins. The small 9½in. dial has been beautifully matted in a very delicate manner that is set off by the narrrow chapter and seconds rings, which is so typical on dials in this early period of English clockmaking. The signature is very fluent; when viewed front-on it appears faint but viewed at an angle the gilding left inside the engraving brings its flowing text to life.
The movement has tall, slim and thin brass plates with six pretty, ringed pillars. The anchor escapement is patently a replacement. The unsightly excavations in the sides of the trunk indicate that a certain clockmaker (or clockmakers) struggled to make an anchor capable of the tiny amplitude that Knibb originally achieved.
Born in 1640 Joseph Knibb was apprenticed to his cousin Samuel circa 1655. At the end of his apprenticeship in 1662 he moved to Oxford, whilst Samuel moved to London. Trading in Oxford proved difficult for Joseph and it was not until 1668, upon payment of a fine, that he was allowed to do so unhindered. In 1670 Samuel died and Jospeph moved to London, presumably to take over his workshop. Jospeh became a Free Brother in the Clockmakers' Company that year. His first premises were at the Dial in Fleet Street and in 1693 he moved to the Clock Dial near Charing Cross. He became a Steward in the Company in 1684 and an Assistant in 1689. The number of clocks still extant suggest that his must have been one of the busiest workshops in London. He sold the business in 1697 and retired to Buckinghamshire, where he contined to make some clocks but on a smaller scale. He died in 1711.
This lot is accompanied by the original invoice from Henry Hallpike dated March 1951 stating; This clock came from a private house in the New Forest and has just changed hands for the first time in about 150 years.