Lewis Walduck
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Lot 88*,TP
A late 17th century, and later, ebonised architectural longcase clock with ten inch dial Joseph Norris, Amsterdam
2 July 2025, 13:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £3,840 inc. premium
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A late 17th century, and later, ebonised architectural longcase clock with ten inch dial
Joseph Norris, Amsterdam
The hood surmounted by a triangular pediment and recessed centre, set on a cornice supported by spirally twisted columns over a long trunk with narrow door framed by moulded edges on a tall base with similar applied panels to the front and sides, on bun feet. The ten inch square brass dial with large winged cherubs head spandrels framing the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with outer minute band and inner quarter hour track, finely matted centre with chamfered date aperture. The weight driven movement united by five knopped and ringed pillars with bolt-and-shutter maintaining power to the anchor escapement and inside countwheel strike on a bell. (Case restored, possibly later associated) Ticking and striking, together with a pendulum and weights. 206cms (6ft 9ins) high.
The hood surmounted by a triangular pediment and recessed centre, set on a cornice supported by spirally twisted columns over a long trunk with narrow door framed by moulded edges on a tall base with similar applied panels to the front and sides, on bun feet. The ten inch square brass dial with large winged cherubs head spandrels framing the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with outer minute band and inner quarter hour track, finely matted centre with chamfered date aperture. The weight driven movement united by five knopped and ringed pillars with bolt-and-shutter maintaining power to the anchor escapement and inside countwheel strike on a bell. (Case restored, possibly later associated) Ticking and striking, together with a pendulum and weights. 206cms (6ft 9ins) high.
Footnotes
Joseph Norris, born in Abingdon Oxfordshire in 1650, was the younger brother of Edward Norris (1637-1726). At age 12, he began an eight-year apprenticeship with Edward. Surviving both the Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666, the brothers relocated from their premises at The Crossed Keys in Lothbury to Dove Court. Following the 1674 peace treaty between England and the Netherlands, Norris moved to Amsterdam, possibly joining Ahasuerus Fromanteel, who had been there since 1667. Norris stayed until 1692, during which time he likely became the first clockmaker in the Netherlands to produce longcase clocks with a "Royal Pendulum."
In Amsterdam, Norris set up his workshop near the Beurs on Damrak and, in 1677, married Alicia Arnold at the English Reformed Church. He soon rose to prominence as one of Amsterdam's leading clockmakers. Returning to Abingdon in 1692, Norris held various public and clerical positions until his death in 1726. He continued clockmaking in his brother's London workshop during his later years. Clocks signed "Joseph Norris London" are either from the pre-Amsterdam period (1670-1675) or his post-Amsterdam years (1692-1696), while those marked "Joseph Norris Amsterdam" date from 1675 to 1692. Plomp, Dr. R. Spring-driven Dutch Pendulum Clocks 1657-1710, pp. 66, 174-175.