A George III Marquetry Inlaid Satinwood Clock Longcase, c. 1800

Lot description — Simpson Galleries, LLC

A GEORGE III MARQUETRY INLAID SATINWOOD CLOCK LONGCASE, CIRCA 1800, MECHANISM BY RICHARD FENNELL, KENSINGTON, LATE 17TH CENTURY, the gilt brass and silvered dial incorporating a silvered black Roman chaptered ring signed, "Ric. Fennell, Kensington," encircled by Arabic five minute numerals with engraved "4 Bells" and "8 Bells" flanking the "15" minute numeral, opposite "Chimes" and "Silent" flanking the "45" minute numeral, centering reticulated cut steel hands and triple key escapements beneath a silvered seconds ring dial with blued steel hand, enclosed by applied scrolling floral corner spandrels, reversing to an interior eight day movement, with quarter hour chiming of four or eight bell choice and striking the hour, within an arched bonnet centering oval marquetry fan inlay, above a frieze of ribbon-tied berried laurel swags and a hinged glass door flanked by disengaged Corinthian columns, on a long rectangular case with marquetry inlaid berried branches and bellflowers centering a hinged door centering ribbon-tied elliptical bellflower reserves enclosing a classical urn, above a classical maiden muse within crossed fronds and corner fan form spandrels, the whole on a block form base with scrolling foliate details and raised on shaped block feet. NOTE: Richard Fennell is recorded to have worked in Kensington (London), as early as 1662 when he began his clock maker's apprenticeship. In 1679 he was admitted into The Clockmakers Company of London, where he was a member, recognized for making consistent fine quality clocks until 1705. Provenance: Estate of the Late James K. Schooler, Esq. Height: 86 1/2" Width: 21 1/4" Depth: 13 1/8"