Sale
16818 - Fine Clocks & Barometers, 7 Jul 2009
New Bond Street
Lot No: 131
A third quarter of the 17th century architectural table clock
Eduardus East, Londini
The later custom made ebony veneered case with architectural pediment, over long glazed side panels framed by intricate moulded edges, on a plinth base, the 7.35 by 8.5 inch dial with punch-matted centre within a plain border, now with later winged cherub spandrels, the seven inch silvered Roman chapter ring with Arabic five minutes marked within the outer minute track and with inner quarter-hour track, with later matted shutters to the winding squares and blued-steel hands with silvered central alarm disc, the spring driven movement with substantial plates set 1.75 inches apart and united by seven 'tulip' pillars rivetted to the frontplate and pinned to the back, with twin chain fusees and large, flanged, pinned barrels, to a verge escapement with short bob mounted on a knife edge, the plain rectangular backplate set with the engraved and numbered external countwheel with each hour noted and centred by a flowerhead, the hammer cocked and sprung on the frontplate striking against the bell, the alarm sounding inside the bell via a double-ended hammer, the full cursive signature flowing in a gentle upward curve following the arc of the turned brass pendulum bob 42cm (16.5in) high.
Sold for £38,400 inclusive of Buyer's Premium
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Email: James Stratton
Tel: 020 7468 8364
Footnote:
Edward East (1602-1696) was born in Southill, Bedfordshire in 1602. He began his apprenticeship in 1618, and was made free in the Goldsmiths Company in 1627. In 1632 when the Clockmakers Company was granted its Charter, East was the youngest Assistant to the Court, a reflection of the esteem in which he must have been held. He rose within the Company and was Master twice, either side of the Civil War, in 1645 and again in 1653. He held meetings at his premises in Fleet Street, at the 'Musical Clock'. In 1660 he was appointed Chief Clockmaker to King Charles II. East was well known to the King as when East had lived in Pall Mall, near the tennis court, the King would often ask him to attend tennis matches and offer one of his watches as a prize. On its introduction to England in 1657, East quickly adopted the pendulum and ran one of the most important workshops in the early years of the pendulum clock. During his long working life, he took on eight apprentices: Thomas Wolverstone, Robert Hanslapp, Walter Gibbs, Edward Wagstaff, Henry Jones, John East, Adam Pearce and Richard Bellinger.
In later years, The London Gazette of January 22nd-26th 1690 records that a Mr East was working at "the Sun outside Temple Bar". At about this time, he gave £100 to the Clockmakers Company for the benefit of poor members. He died a few years later, in Hampton, Middlesex.
Unfortunately, it is not known where or when the case to this clock was made. What is evident however, is that it has been made following the original style very closely, including the multi-layered tympanum. The movement displays many of the most interesting features one associates with the early years of the pendulum clock including floating motion work, large flanged and pinned barrels, tulip pillars, high external countwheel and a pair of substantial plates set close together. The signature on the backplate is particularly attractive.
A similar clock by James Cowpe was sold in these rooms 9th December 2008, lot 145.
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