Architectural longcase clock by Henry Jones

Dealer description — The Antique Clock Company

This rare 17th-century longcase clock, designed in an architectural style attributed to John Webb (1611-1672), exemplifies the refinement of the era. Encased in slender ebony veneer, it features a hood originally designed to rise, now converted to a sliding mechanism for convenience. Fine ebony mouldings trace the lines of the case, while a gilt-brass cartouche sits prominently on the tympanum. Gilt-brass Corinthian capitals support the plain frieze, with three-quarter tapered ebony columns at the front and quarter columns at the rear, all extending upwards to meet the entablature. The hood gracefully rests on a convex throat molding, above a full-width rectangular trunk door adorned with triple panel molding and matching side panels, giving the piece an impressive architectural presence. The base is elegantly anchored on four turned bun feet. The sublimly small 9-inch square gilt-brass dial, signed Henry Jones Londini, displays a slender silvered chapter ring with trident half-hour markers, Arabic numerals within the minute track, and finely sculpted blued-steel hands. Its matted centre includes a seconds ring and shuttered winding holes, framed by winged cherub head spandrels at each corner. Crafted with four dial feet, the dial captures a blend of functionality and beauty. The clock houses a two-train, eight-day movement held by five finned baluster pillars. The going train features a traditional pivoted anchor escapement with a pendulum crutch, while the bolt-and-shutter provides maintaining power, and the strike train is regulated by an external countwheel. The movement strikes on a large bell situated above the movement, and the entire setup is held securely onto the original seatboard. Henry Jones was an esteemed clockmaker who trained under Edward East, gaining independence from the Clockmakers’ Company in 1663. His career began during an optimistic period in London, yet he endured significant challenges as both the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666 reshaped the city, leaving many clockmakers with devastated workshops. Despite these hardships, Jones persevered, creating exceptional timepieces, like this clock from around 1675. While his designs were more traditional than some contemporaries, Jones remains celebrated for his reliable craftsmanship, which reflects the resilience and mastery needed to thrive in such turbulent times. Height: 77″ or 196 cm