Bracket clock by Daniel Quare, London, c. 1712

Dealer description — Howard Walwyn

A fine Queen Anne period arched dial ebony veneered striking table clock by this pre-eminent maker. The inverted belltop case is of the classic early ‘shallow arch’ variety of which Daniel Quare was the most noted early exponent. The ebony mouldings are crisp, the gilt brass sound frets, mounts and S-scroll handle are finely finished and the overall proportions of the case are very pleasing. The break arch 6 ½ inch dial has a matted centre and the maker’s signature Dan Quare London is inscribed on a planished oval cartouche in the centre beneath the mock pendulum aperture. There is a large concentric calendar dial in the arch and two subsidiary dials for rise and fall and strike/silent . The blued steel hands are finely wrought. The substantial double fusee movement which fills the whole case has 6 ring turned baluster pillars, a spring suspended verge escapement, hour rack strike, pull quarter repeat on one bell and various levers and cams for rise/fall and strike/silent . The flower, bird and foliate engraving of the backplate is almost certainly the work of Tompion’s engraver 515. The makers’ signature Dan: Quare London 94 is set within a central cartouche below two trumpeting heralds. Height : 16 ½ in (42 cm) excluding handle Width : 10 ¼ in (26 cm) Depth : 6 ⅞ in (17.5 cm) * Daniel Quare was a great innovator and he was one of the first clockmakers to move from the usual square or rectangular dials to the ‘new’ shallow break arch design in circa 1704-5. The extra space in the arch enabled him to make a feature of his large concentric calendar at the top and the subsidiary dials to each side. We can date No.94 to circa 1712 with its superior quality brass moulded front door, the exceptional graver 515 backplate, the maker’s signature in an oval reserve on the dial rather than on the chapter ring and the fine gilt brass case mounts and Quare type S-scroll handle. References : Cescinsky and Webster, English Domestic Clocks , p.282 figs.304-305, pp. 287-288 Garnier and Carter, The Golden Age of English Horology, pp. 260-331