Walnut 8-day longcase clock by Joseph Knibb

Dealer description — The Antique Clock Company

A true masterpiece of horological design and craftsmanship. The Walnut case is elegantly proportioned. It features a rectangular trunk door with its original reversed iron hinges and beautifully preserved original mouldings above the plinth, all raised on refined bun feet. The rising hood has since been converted and is enhanced with a convex throat moulding, twisted walnut columns, glazed sides, and a decorative pierced walnut sound fret atop the cornice, showcasing exquisite attention to detail. The clock’s 10-inch square gilt-brass dial, fully latched and signed “Joseph Knibb London,” displays a skeletonised silvered chapter ring engraved with Roman numerals, Arabic minute markers, and fleur-de-lis half-hour markers, characteristic of Knibb’s distinctive style. The expertly pierced blued steel hands are elegantly sculpted, and the finely matted centre is adorned with a calendar aperture above the VI, a subsidiary seconds ring. Corners are embellished with gilt-brass winged cherub spandrels. An exceptional eight-day, weight-driven movement secured to the backboard with an L-shaped retaining bracket for stability. The plates are connected by five latched, knopped, and ringed pillars, showcasing the quality of traditional craftsmanship. It operates with a refined anchor escapement driving a brass-faced pendulum, equipped with a butterfly suspension and bolt-and-shutter maintaining power with an outside countwheel on the backplate. This clock promises both reliability and classic elegance and captures the essence of early English clockmaking, making it a prized addition for any horology enthusiast or collector. Joseph Knibb (1640–1711) was one of the most distinguished English clockmakers of the late 17th century. Known for his precision and innovation, Knibb was part of the esteemed Knibb family of clockmakers and apprenticed under his cousin, Samuel Knibb. He began his own practice in Oxford and later moved to London around 1670, where he became well-regarded for both his artistic and technical contributions to horology. Knibb is celebrated for his advancements in clock mechanisms, notably his development of the anchor escapement and his early use of bolt-and-shutter maintaining power, allowing the clock to continue running while wound. These features marked a leap in timekeeping accuracy and reliability. Knibb’s clocks often include fine decorative touches, such as skeletonised chapter rings and fleur-de-lis half-hour markers. He is also known for the “Roman striking” system, which strikes the hours in a way that economises bell strikes for fewer disruptions. A signature style of Knibb’s longcase clocks is their elegant walnut cases with architectural elements, including glazed panels and sound frets, which enhanced both their functionality and aesthetic appeal. Today, Joseph Knibb’s clocks are highly valued for their craftsmanship and are considered some of the finest examples of English clockmaking. Height: 74″ or 188 cm