James Stratton
Director
Lot 78TP
A fine and impressive late 17th century marquetry longcase clock with original printed Equation of Time Table to the inner door Christopher Gould, London
2 December 2025, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£6,000 - £9,000
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Lewis Walduck
Cataloguer
A fine and impressive late 17th century marquetry longcase clock with original printed Equation of Time Table to the inner door
Christopher Gould, London
The case surmounted by a caddy top with two pedestals to the sides, each supporting a brass ball finial, over a pierced sound fret backed in silk and a moulded top edge over a further pierced fret, also backed in old silk, above the front door flanked by columns to each side, inlaid with marquetry. The sides with additional pierced sound frets, all above a concave throat moulding. The long trunk door richly inlaid with fine marquetry depicting tulips, flowers, still life scenes, beasts, and cherubs, the sides with simple stringing above a moulded plinth, the base panel similarly decorated with fine marquetry, raised on a plinth. The inside of the trunk door retains its original hinges and lock, with evidence of an infilled lenticle and an original printed equation of time table to the rear, inscribed: Printed for Chr Gould Clockmaker at his Shop near North East Corner of the Royal Exchange MDCCI. The 12 inch square brass dial with silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring intercepted by fleur-de-lys half-hour markers, the finely matted centre with Tudor rose to the centre, subsidiary seconds and a finely decorated calendar aperture, ringed winding squares and blued steel hands, framed by four cherub-head spandrels interspersed with floral engraving between. Signed in elegant script below the chapter ring: Chr Gould Londini Fecit. The movement with substantial plates united by five finely knopped pillars, anchor escapement and striking the hours on a large bell above via an internal count wheel. Sold with a pair of brass clad weights and pendulum with a case key and a crank winding key. 233cms (92ins) high.
The case surmounted by a caddy top with two pedestals to the sides, each supporting a brass ball finial, over a pierced sound fret backed in silk and a moulded top edge over a further pierced fret, also backed in old silk, above the front door flanked by columns to each side, inlaid with marquetry. The sides with additional pierced sound frets, all above a concave throat moulding. The long trunk door richly inlaid with fine marquetry depicting tulips, flowers, still life scenes, beasts, and cherubs, the sides with simple stringing above a moulded plinth, the base panel similarly decorated with fine marquetry, raised on a plinth. The inside of the trunk door retains its original hinges and lock, with evidence of an infilled lenticle and an original printed equation of time table to the rear, inscribed: Printed for Chr Gould Clockmaker at his Shop near North East Corner of the Royal Exchange MDCCI. The 12 inch square brass dial with silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring intercepted by fleur-de-lys half-hour markers, the finely matted centre with Tudor rose to the centre, subsidiary seconds and a finely decorated calendar aperture, ringed winding squares and blued steel hands, framed by four cherub-head spandrels interspersed with floral engraving between. Signed in elegant script below the chapter ring: Chr Gould Londini Fecit. The movement with substantial plates united by five finely knopped pillars, anchor escapement and striking the hours on a large bell above via an internal count wheel. Sold with a pair of brass clad weights and pendulum with a case key and a crank winding key. 233cms (92ins) high.
Footnotes
Christopher Gould was made a Free Brother of the Clockmakers' Company in April 1682 and later appointed Beadle in 1713. Gould's work is characterised by his high quality and craftsmanship, as attested by the present example. He died in 1718. Clocks by Gould can be found in numerous public collections, including the British Museum.