A fine William III period ebony veneered basket top table clock by this excellent maker.

The 8-day movement, which strikes the hours, has an original verge escapement, short bob pendulum and pull quarter repeat on a second bell.

The finely matted and engraved brass dial has a raised chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half-hour markers. The date indicator is inset above 6 o’clock and there is a strike/silent lever above XII. The blued steel pointers are finely pierced and facetted.

The elaborate back plate is engraved with beautiful tulip and foliate scrolls and a scribe line border. The maker’s signature Christop Gould Londini Fecit is set within a cartouche just below the centre and above the elaborate click springs.

The elegant case is constructed primarily in oak and veneered with ebony.  It has a gilt repoussé basket top with an elaborate zoomorphic brass carrying handle and retains its original gilt brass escutcheons and sound frets.

Height: 13 in (33 cm) excluding handle

Height: 15 in (38 cm) including handle

Width: 9 ½ in (24 cm)

Depth: 6 in (15.25 cm) 

* Christopher Gould was made a Free Brother in The Clockmakers’ Company in April 1682.  He was later appointed Beadle in 1713. He was one of the greatest clockmakers of the period and his work was of the finest quality as attested by this clock. He died in 1718. There are clocks made by him in many public collections including the British Museum.

References:  B. Loomes, Early Clockmakers of Great Britain: 1286-1700, p. 222

                      B. Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, Complete 21st Century Edition, p. 313

HW6084