Beschreibung:

A William III walnut and floral marquetry eight-day longcase clock John Greenhill Maidstone, circa 1695 The five finned pillar (one removed) inside countwheel bell striking movement with 11 inch square rosette-centred brass dial with subsidiary seconds dial, scroll engraved shaped calendar aperture and ringed winding holes to the matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fleur-de-lys half hour markers, Arabic five minutes to the narrow outer track and signed John Greenhill Maidston fecit to lower edge, the angles with applied winged cherub head and foliate cast spandrels, in a case with ogee moulded cornice and brass repousse fret to frieze above floral trail inlaid dial surround applied with spiral twist three-quarter columns to front angles, the trunk with 42 inch door centred with a lenticle and with three shaped marquetry panels decorated with bird inhabited scrolling flowering foliage on an ebonised ground within a walnut field, the base with conforming rectangular marquetry panel within crossbanded borders, 201cm (79ins) high. The Greenhills of Maidstone were a prolific family of clockmakers, gunsmiths and locksmiths who worked from Canterbury, Ashford and Maidstone throughout the 17th century. The current lot was probably made by John Greenhill III, who was born in 1755 and gained his freedom in 1674. He was an astute business man with considerable landholdings who was a member of the Corporation of Maidstone and was elected Mayor in 1702; he died in 1712. Michael Pearson notes in TIME & PLACE, English Country Clocks 1600 to 1840 (catalogue for an exhibition held by the Antiquarian Horological Society at The Museum of the History of Science, Oxford 25/11/2006 to 15/04/2007, page 222) that twenty seven clocks by the Greenhill family are known of which ten are signed by John of Maidstone. The current lot is believed to be a previously unrecorded example, hence would bring the total number of known surviving clocks to eleven. IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS Movements, dials and cases: movements and dials are described as relating to the cases in which they are housed in one of the following three ways: the case.... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial started life in the current case. in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are in a case of correct period and type (and may well be original to the movement and dial), however there is evidence to suggest that they may not have started out life together. now in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are no longer in the original case or one of correct period and/or type. Pendulums, weights, winding and case keys: unless specifically indicated otherwise in the catalogue description it can be assumed that all clocks with cases are sold with the requisite pendulum and correct number of weights (where appropriate), however we cannot guarantee that they are original to the clock. We do not indicate in the catalogue description whether winding or case keys are present with any specific clock. As many clocks are consigned without keys please check with the department to establish whether they are present or not prior to bidding. Condition: due to the mechanical nature of clocks and the fact that most are of great age we cannot offer any guarantee as to whether they are in working order or free from major faults or restoration. Although we endeavour to catalogue items in a fair and informed manner, omission of any comments or observations regarding the condition or originality of a clock in the description does not necessarily indicate that it is free from significant faults, restoration or is in working condition. We would strongly advise any prospective purchaser to view the item in person or request a condition report and/or further images prior to bidding. Measurements: dial measurements are given in inches, other dimensions such as height are given in centimetres and