A fine and rare George I silver mounted ebony grande sonnerie striking table clock with pull-quarter repeat and alarm Andrew Dunlop for Daniel Delander, London, circa 1720 The substantial eight large diameter knopped and finned (centre two latched) pillar triple fusee movement with plates measuring 8.5 by 7.5 inches and chiming the quarters on a nest of six graduated bells followed by full hour strike on a further larger bell every fifteen minutes, with trip quarter repeat, verge escapement regulated by short bob pendulum and alarm sounding on the hour bell wound via pulley mounted on the fine herringbone bordered Ho-Ho bird inhabited foliate scroll engraved backplate centred with figural scene of Daphne pursued by Apollo beneath grotesque male mask with pronounced whiskers issuing from one of the leafy scrolls, the 7.75 inch brass break-arch dial with silvered alarm setting disc, herringbone engraved calendar and shaped false bob apertures and applied scroll-bordered silver signature plate engraved Dan. Delander, London applied over engraved cartouche Andr. Dunlop, LONDON to upper margin of the matted centre within silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes to outer track, the angles applied with cast silver mask and scroll pattern spandrels beneath arch with Hours & Quarters/Silent All/Hours Alone selection dial flanked by conforming silver mounts, the inverted bell top case with generous hinged cast silver handle to the fillet edged superstructure flanked by heavy shouldered finials above front door with raised complex mouldings to the glazed dial aperture beneath conforming fine foliate scroll engraved and pierced silver upper quadrant fret apertures, the sides with further shaped silver sound frets over break-arch glazed windows, the rear with door incorporating arched scroll-pierced ebony sound fret over rectangular glazed panel, on shallow cavetto moulded skirt base with cast silver squab feet, 48cm (19ins) high excluding handle. Daniel Delander in recorded in Loomes Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in London around 1677-8 to Nathaniel and Rebecca Delander. He was apprenticed in 1692 to Charles Halstead but was later transferred to Thomas Tompion gaining his Freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1699. Delander is initially thought to have worked from Devereux Court later moving to a house ¾tween the two Temple Gates', 'near Temple Bar' in 1712. Daniel Delander died in 1733 and is believed to have been succeeded by his son Nathaniel Delander, who gained his Freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in 1722. Daniel Delander was a fine and inventive maker who very much followed in the footsteps of his former master, Thomas Tompion. His work often demonstrates a refined approach with a great deal of consideration given to the proportions, detail finish and technical specification of the movements. Delander was never one to let fashion overtake him, always being at the cutting edge with regards to design and use of materials. He is perhaps best known for his exquisite small walnut precision longcase clocks with duplex escapements made during the 1720's as well as the silver mounted grande sonnerie table clock formerly in the Rous Lench Collection which is illustrated in Dawson, Percy G., Drover, C.B. and Parkes, D.W. Early English Clocks on page 411, Plates 585-6. Andrew Dunlop is recorded by Loomes as working in Aberdeen until around 1700 before moving to London where he worked from Spread Eagle Court, Grey's Inn. He joined the Clockmakers' Company in 1701 and took in Thomas Hague as an apprentice in 1719 followed by his son, Conyers, in 1725. He is thought to have died in 1732 and was succeeded by his son. The work of Andrew Dunlop is described in Maxwell-Irving, A.M.T ANDREW DUNLOP, C.C. 1701-32 (see ANTIQUARIAN HOROLOGY Vol. XV, No. 1 pages 36-46) where particular focus is given to his watches which are described as being of the 'finest quality'. The movement of the current lot is particularly substantial in its construction and can be directly compared to that of the ex. Rous Lench silver mounted grande sonnerie table clock signed by Daniel Delander which is extensively illustrated in Barder, Richard C.R. The Georgian Bracket Clock 1714-1830 on page 43, Plates II/22-4. Similarities between the two movements include the noticeably thick pillars, the rack and pinion operated strike selection lever and in particular the planting/overall layout of the underdial work. The ex. Rous Lench Delander is further illustrated and discussed in Dawson, Percy G., Drover, C.B. and Parkes, D.W. Early English Clocks pages 408-11, Plates 585-6 where it is likened to two other movements signed by Charles Goode and Jonathan Puller with the inference being that all may have originated from a single unknown workshop. When considering the current lot in the context of the above it may be appropriate to speculate that the workshop of Andrew Dunlop could have been responsible for such movements. Certainly the striking similarities to the Rous Lench grande sonnerie striking Delander and the current lot provides compelling evidence for this. Amongst the other notable features of the current lot is the fact that the hour and quarter trains are geared to allow ample use of the trip quarter-repeat function between windings. This is indicated by some of the line being left on the each of the strike and quarter train fusee's at the end of the week (suggesting that both the strike and quarter trains would probably run for a day or two longer than the going train). The magnificent movement backplate which includes an engraved allegorical scene of the nymph Daphne transforming into a laurel tree whilst being pursued by Apollo. The male grotesque mask (within the scrollwork above the scene) is probably that of Daphne's father, Peneus, who fulfilled Daphne's request for help to allude Apollo by changing her form. In addition to this central scene the surrounding scrollwork is particularly generous and includes a floral cornucopia to the top left hand corner. According to Maxwell-Irving, A.M.T ANDREW DUNLOP, C.C. 1701-32 ( ANTIQUARIAN HOROLOGY Vol. XV, No. 1 pages 36-46) the lack of signature (and tendency to include allegorical figures within the engraving) appears to be fairly typical for table clocks made by Dunlop - this would certainly add credence to the possibility that he may have spent a lot of his time supplying clocks to other makers for retail. The dial also is finely finished with solid silver mounts and applied name plate for Delander echoing that of the Rous Lench clock. The relatively standard form of the dial would suggest a date fairly close to 1720 and reflects the makers desire to keep up with fashion. With this in mind it is perhaps interesting to note that, although very similar, the movement of the current lot is perhaps a little more ¬complished' than that of the Rous Lench clock. This would suggest that the current clock is probably the later of the two (albeit marginally). The ebony veneered case is also finely finished with extensive use of complex raised mouldings to the apertures and features solid silver foliate engraved and pierced fret inserts of the finest quality. IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS: Movements, dials and cases: movements and dials are described as relating to the cases in which they are housed in one of the following three ways: the case.... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial started life in the current case. in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are in a case of correct period and type (and may well be original to the movement and dial), however there is evidence to suggest that they may not have started out life together. now in a case... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are no longer in the original case as it is not of correct period and/or type. Pendulums, weights, winding and case keys: unless specifically indicated otherwise in the catalogue description it can be assumed that all clocks with cases are sold with the requisite pendulum and correct number of weights (where appropriate), however we cannot guarantee that they are original to the clock. This excludes lantern clocks or loose movements which are more often than not offered without pendulums or weights. We do not indicate in the catalogue description whether winding or case keys are present with any specific clock. As many clocks are consigned without keys please check with the department to establish whether they are present or not prior to bidding. Condition: due to the mechanical nature of clocks and the fact that most are of great age we cannot offer any guarantee as to whether they are in working order or free from major faults or restoration. Although we endeavour to catalogue items in a fair and informed manner, omission of any comments or observations regarding the condition or originality of a clock in the description does not necessarily indicate that it is free from significant faults, restoration or is in working condition. We would strongly advise any prospective purchaser to view the item in person or request a condition report and/or further images prior to bidding. Measurements: dial measurements are given in inches, other dimensions such as height are given in centimetres and inches. The measurement given for the height of a longcase clock excludes any removable finials in order to provide an approximate minimum ceiling height in which the clock can be accommodated.