A GEORGE I WALNUT STRIKING LONGCASE CLOCK

The hood with caddy top and brass finials, above a fret panel and moulded pediment, with glazed square door, flanked by brass-capped three-quarter columns, the sides each with a glazed panel and quarter-cut column, above the trunk with rectangular panel door, on stepped plinth base; the 11 ½ in. square brass dial with crown and cherub spandrels, silvered chapter ring, enclosing the matted centre with seconds subsidiary, harboured winding and calendar apertures, the movement with five knopped, ringed and finned pillars, anchor escapement and internal countwheel strike on a bell, the case with restoration and replacement, case and movement possibly associated

246cm high

PROVENANCE:  Bonhams, London, 9 July 2014, lot 55.

Daniel Quare (d. 1724), one of England's greatest clockmakers from the 'golden era' of English Clockmaking.  George I offered him the post of the King's watchmaker; however his Quaker faith made him unable to swear an oath of alligence.  Nevertheless the King told him that he could visit at any time, so his nickname 'Quare of the back stairs' was coined as the Yeoman of the Guard were instructed that he could only use the back stairs.

His commercial success can be measured in part from the guest list of his daughter, Anne's wedding, which included envoys from many of the Royal houses of Europe.

The case has been subject to restoration.  It is repolished.  The upper part of the hood may have some reconstruction which is well done. The frets are replaced.  The door hinges have modern screws.  The hinges are likely replacements, of the correct type.  Old screw holes for each butt on the inner edge of trunk.  The plinth has been rebuilt.  The backboard has a replacement part at this point.  Possibly moulding around the trunk door is replaced.  

The movement is dirty and will require a full service.

There are two brass bound weights and the pendulum.