Bracket clock by Robert Williamson, London, c. 1675

Dealer description — Howard Walwyn

An exceptional Charles II period olivewood and ebonised table clock of rare small size by this fine early maker. The 8-day movement, which sounds the hours with a single bell on an inside count wheel, has a restored verge escapement and short bob pendulum. The beautiful fire gilt 5 ½-inch dial has the early type of winged cherub corner spandrels and a chapter ring with narrow inside quarter marker band and a similar outer band for the minutes. The blued steel hands are finely wrought and facetted. The date work is inset above VI o’ clock. The elegant shallow dome top case is constructed primarily of oak carcase wood and veneered with highly patinated olivewood and ebonised mouldings and barley twist pillars. The square dial movement is surmounted by a finely pierced wooden sound fret to the entablature. The shallow domed top has a Phase I Knibb-type brass carrying handle and four turned ebony ball finials. It stands on four turned ebonised wooden feet. Date : circa 1675 Height of case : 12 ½ in (31 ⅜ cm) excl. handle Width of case : 9 ¾ in (24.5 cm) Depth of case : 6 ¾ in (17 cm) * Robert Williamson served his apprenticeship with John Harris from 1658-1666 when he was ‘freed’ of The Clockmakers’ Company . He had his own workshops in St Bartholemew’s Lane until his death in 1704. In 1695 he was made Warden of the Clockmakers’ Company and he became Master in 1698 . Small early spring clocks veneered in olivewood were only made over a short period of time and this example is possibly the earliest one known. Provenance: Purchased at Phillips Auctions, Bond Street by Michael Hurst, a highly respected founder member of the Antiquarian Horological Society, in the late 1950s. This stunning little clock was exhibited at the Antiquarian Horological Society 10 th Anniversary exhibition at the Science Museum in August 1963.