A rare William III period walnut longcase clock with 8-day movement and hour strike on an inside countwheel.

The 11-inch brass dial has winged cherub gilt brass corner spandrels and a raised silvered brass chapter ring with Roman numerals, swordhilt half-hour makers and is signed by the maker Leonard Hall Southwark between VII and V. On the matted centre there is a subsidiary seconds dial below XII and inset datework above VI.

The well-proportioned slim case, in beautifully faded walnut, is veneered onto an oak carcase. There are barley twist pillars to the hood and a half round moulded walnut lenticle to the full-length trunk door. The base is crossbanded and it stands on four turned walnut bun feet.

Date: circa 1695.

Height: 80 in (203 cm)

* Leonard Hall was working in Southwark, London from 1690 until about 1720. Small early walnut longcase clocks of the late 17^th century with barleytwist pillars and of small proportions have become increasingly rare.

References: Brian Loomes, Clockmakers of Britain: 1286 – 1700, p. 237

Brian Loomes, Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, p.338

HW6420