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Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock
Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 10Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 9Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 8Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 7Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 6Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 5Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 4Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 3Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 1Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock 2

Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock

€17,500.00

Product Description

Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock

This anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock is unusually small for an early eight day longcase clock. Anonymous clocks are uncommon but not rare and there are several possible explanations about the absence of a maker’s name and place of work. For example a maker who was not free to work within the area of influence of a guild. (which, for the age of this clock might suggest London)

One of the most striking features of the clock is the unusual design of the corner spandrels: They are described by H Cescinsky and M R Webster in English Domestic Clocks as CW Type 14. The accompanying explanation gives, “No. 14 is also exceptional, and is probably the last pattern found on square dial clocks by high-class makers.

With that clue, we examined the clock for further: Although the movement pillars are of a style adopted widely after about 1720, the wheel collets are of the early, hemispherical type and the movement. The dial does not have segments of brass removed from behind the chapter ring so our conclusion is that the clock was made in London in the 1720s to some special commission.

The 10” dial is in keeping with the small scale of the clock (only about 6 feet 3 inches tall). It is apparent that the maker has incorporated certain design modifications for the small dial: The vestigial quarter hour band is not present on the inner edge of the chapter ring. There is no seconds dial, although the movement is capable of driving a seconds hand.

Lacquer work was a popular way of finishing clock cases from the late 1600s. It is seen frequently in London-made longcase clocks up to the 1720s and elsewhere until well after the mid-century.

A paper with useful background information about lacquer work, “The Removal of an Insoluble Varnish from a 18th Century Clock Case” by Marianne Webb is available on-line CLICK HERE

Anonymous Chinese lacquer longcase clock

 

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