A WILLIAM AND MARY WALNUT AND MARQUETRY LONGCASE CLOCK

The hood with a moulded cornice above a fret with glazed panel below, flanked to each side by turned handed columns, with a quarter-column to the back, the trunk inset with a panel door with three bordered marquetry panels cut with abundant flowers, scrolls and birds, centred with a glazed aperture, the inside of the door with an engraved silver presentation panel dated 1961, the base with conforming panel, on bun feet; the 11in square brass dial with cherub head and foliate spandrels, silvered chapter ring, signed John Greennhill, Maidston Fecit (sic), enclosing a matted centre with rose engraved centre, seconds subsidiary, harboured winding holes and calendar aperture above the six, the twin train movement with five knopped and finned pillars, anchor escapement and internal countwheel strike on a bell

203cm high

John Greenhill III, recorded 1655-1712.  Pearson states Greenhill was a man of some substance in Maidstone for, in addition to being in business as a gunsmith and clockmaker, he was a member of the Corporation and had substantial land holdings.

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:

Michael Pearson, Kent Clocks & Clockmakers, Ashbourne 1997, p.71.

Two brass cased weights and its pendulum.  The clock was running before consignment and has been carefully maintained.  It is in very good condition.

The case has been the subject of some sympathetic restoration, mainly to the base.  The sides of the base may be reveneered and each has a slight vertical crack, due to carcass movement. Some of the banding to the marquetry base panel seems replaced.  There is an old repaired crack laterally across the base marquetry.  This is fairly usual and indicates originality.  There is a small amount of ‘repainting’ on this area.  The trunk door hinges appear original.  The lock is a brass replacement.  The seatboard cheeks have not been reduced.  There are nail holes (square handmade nails) to the inner side of each cheek and the surface of the oak board here is not so oxidised.  The seatboard is possibly replaced.  The fret panel to the hood is a replacement.  The backboard is 90% complete.

In summary a charming clock which presents very well.