A rare and beautiful James II period walnut and marquetry hour-striking 8-day longcase clock.

The case is constructed primarily of oak and veneered in walnut with walnut mouldings and inset panels of flower and bird marquetry to the trunk and base. Standing on bun feet there is a lenticle to the trunk door and the now front-opening hood is flanked by barley twist columns with a sound fret above.

The 10-inch square brass dial is mounted with a silvered chapter ring and winged cherub and foliage spandrels. The centre is finely matted and has ringed winding holes. The dial is signed by the maker Samuell Gascoigne, along the bottom of the dial plate.

The high-quality, five pillar movement has 8-day duration and hour strike via an outside countwheel. The clock is complete with its period brass cased weights and brass pendulum bob.

Date: circa 1685

Height: 77 ½ in (197 cm)

Width: 17 ⅞ in (45.5 cm)

Depth: 10 ¼ in (26 cm)

* Samuel Gascoigne  was born circa 1655 and was apprenticed to Robert Seigniour until 1676. He was subsequently a member of the Clockmakers’ Company until his death in 1698. He signed the oath of allegiance to the king in 1697.

HW5434