An important Charles II small walnut eight-day longcase clock previously in the Iden collection Joseph Knibb, London, circa 1675 The six knopped, finned and latched pillar movement with tall rectangular plates measuring approximately 7.5 by 5.5 inches, the going train with anchor escapement regulated by two-piece seconds pendulum with brass lenticular bob and butterfly-nut regulation to the single-footed suspension block over separately cocked escapement pallet arbor and with pallet-shaped aperture to backplate, the strike train with external crossed-out countwheel and sounding on a 'pork pie' shaped bell mounted above the plates, the 9.5 inch square latched brass dial with winding holes and calendar aperture to the lower edge of the finely matted centre within applied 1.5 inch wide silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with squat fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes within the narrow outer track, the angles applied with winged cherub head spandrels within a line scribed border interrupted with engraved signature Iofeph Knibb Londini fecit to lower margin, the movement and dial resting on full-depth oak seatboard and secured to the backboard via a bracket to the upper right hand corner of the backplate, the case veneered with walnut and applied with crossgrain mouldings onto a carcass of oak with rising hood surmounted by original carved swan-neck crest centred with a scallop shell flanked by rosettes issuing floral swags, over moulded cornice, plain lintel and twist turned three-quarter columns flanking the glazed dial aperture, the sides with rectangular windows and conforming twist-turned quarter columns applied against bargeboards to rear, the trunk with convex throat moulding over 40 inch quarter-veneered rectangular door applied with half-round moulded border and fitted with original high position iron lock, the interior with early pattern iron hinges and spoon locking mechanism for the hood, the sides veneered with grain running horizontally within crossbanded borders, on crossbanded plinth base with compressed bun feet (the plinth base rebuilt around the original side uprights), 193cm (76ins) high excluding ball finial, 199cm (78.5ins) high overall. Provenance: Purchased in Oxfordshire 1919 by Richard Arnold Esq. before passing into the collection of Walter Iden (inventory number 1913) by the late 1930's, from whom it was directly acquired by Neville Rollason shortly after the War. From before 1949 until 1963 the clock resided at Peplow Hall near Hodnet, Shropshire before being purchased by the present owner for a hammer price of £1,700 (underbid by Ronald Lee) at the on-site sale of the contents dispersed after the death of Neville Rollason in June 1963. Literature: Extensively illustrated (including a rear view of the movement complete with pendulum assembly) in Cescinsky, Herbert and Gribble, Ernest R. EARLY ENGLISH FURNITURE AND WOODWORK (1922) pages 300-1, Figs. 410-14 and discussed on pages 307-8. Illustrated in Cescinsky, Herbert THE OLD ENGLISH MASTER CLOCKMAKERS AND THEIR CLOCKS 1670-1820 pages 68-9, Figs 96-7 with an enlarged detail of the crest on page 46, Fig. 96. Illustrated in Dawson, Percy G., Drover, C.B. and Parkes D.W. Early English Clocks page 248, Plate 332 (detail of crest only). Illustrated and described in Dwason, Percy G. THE IDEN CLOCK COLLECTION pages 144-5 where Dawson notes that the current lot is the earliest example by Knibb in the collection. Joseph Knibb was born the fifth son of Thomas Knibb of Claydon, Oxfordshire in 1640. He is generally thought to have been apprenticed in around 1655 to his cousin Samuel Knibb in Newport Pagnell, before moving to Oxford circa 1662 (the same year that Samuel moved to London). Joseph initially struggled to trade in Oxford due to restrictions placed by the City authorities which were only relaxed on payment of a fine in 1668. It was about at this time that Joseph Knibb would have issued his copper trade tokens (an example of which was sold in these rooms 10th February 2009, lot 104 for £1,600 hammer) as well looking to undertake work to convert the turret clocks of St. Mary the Virgin and Wadham College to anchor escapement with long pendulum. In 1670 Joseph moved to London handing over the Oxford business to his younger brother, John. The reason for this move was probably to administer the estate of Samuel who is thought to have died by the summer of 1671. Joseph Knibb presumably took on Samuel's former workshop as by 1675 he was recorded as working from 'The Dyal' near Sargeants Inn in Fleet Street. By 1693 he had moved to 'The Clock Dyal' Suffolk Street, near Charing Cross. As Joseph became established in London his work became more individual/distinctive, often demonstrating an inventive and refined approach both in the detailing and specification of the movements and choice of case design. He is perhaps best known for his experimentation with alternative striking such as Dutch, Roman and double-six grande sonnerie as well as long duration clocks. In 1697 Joseph Knibb sold up the London business (presumably to Samual Aldworth, former apprentice of John Knibb of Oxford) and retired to Hanslop in Buckinghamshire where he died in December 1711. The movement of the current lot exhibits all the features that one would expect to see on a fully developed eight-day movement by Joseph Knibb, these details include the 'butterfly nut' regulation fitted to the single-footed suspension block at the top of the backplate (to facilitate fine adjustment of the effective length of the pendulum) and separate cock for the escapement pallet arbor. The crossed-out external countwheel is again typical of Knibb's work as is the lack of bridge for the hour wheel to the frontplate. The movement plates are typically delicate and are united by distinctive finned and knopped pillars secured by latches. The dial is of the rare smaller size produced by Knibb and retains early features such as the lack of subsidiary seconds dial to centre and scribed line border to the plate. The finely worked steel hands appear original and the signature is particularly pleasing. The movement is located via pins through the lower pillars directly onto the early type full-depth seatboard which is secured to the side uprights of the trunk by clout nails. The case has survived essentially in the same condition as it was when first illustrated by Cescinsky and Gribble in 1922. The hood is fitted with its rare original carved crest (which is of the earliest pattern) and the top board behind is secured by dovetail joints at the sides (a correct detail for an early walnut case housing a movement by Knibb). Evidence to the inside of the hood suggests that the frieze was originally applied with fretwork and the front was converted to open as a door (now returned to its original fixed position). The quarter-veneered trunk door retains its original high-position iron lock and interestingly utilises the same design of iron hinge (with distinctive pierced strap) found on the early ebonised architectural longcase clock by Joseph Knibb, Oxford which was sold in these rooms on Tusday 11th March (lot 143) for £240,000 hammer. As noted by Percy Dawson in THE IDEN CLOCK COLLECTION the exterior of the base has been rebuilt although some of the original structure of the trunk survives within. With regards to dating. The current lot can be fairly accurately dated on stylistic grounds by considering various details within the context of the known progression of Joseph Knibb's work. The crest to the hood is of the earliest design which, along with the pattern of iron hinge used for the trunk door, would suggest a date a few years prior to 1675. However, when considering other details such as the slightly squat side apertures to the hood and high-position lock to the quartered-veneered trunk door, a date much closer to 1675 would seem more appropriate. The dial also demonstrates a similar relationship of features - with its smaller size, scribed-line border and lack of subsidiary seconds ring again suggesting an earlier date, whilst the relatively standard thickness of the chapter ring and pattern of the hands are more typical of circa 1675. From this it would be reasonable to conclude that the current lot was made very close (or possibly just prior) to 1675, and as such may be one of the first eight-day clocks to feature a 'fully-developed' eight-day movement by Knibb including his 'trademark' crossed-out countwheel (see Lee, Ronald A The Knibb Family * Clockmakers page 146). From a historical point of view a date of around 1675 would place the current lot within an important phase in the progression of Joseph Knibb's work as it was around this time that he devised his long duration clocks with Roman striking and is thought to have possibly invented the tic-tac escapement. A consequence of this inventiveness was that his work developed a clear 'identity' which can be seen in almost every example emanating from his workshop. Indeed when considering one of his best-known clocks, an ebony three-month Roman-striking longcase clock (dating to circa 1675) illustrated in Darken, Jeff (ed.) HOROLOGICAL MASTERWORKS pages 114-19 alongside the current lot, common details such as the design of the hands, thickness of chapter ring, crossing-out of the countwheel, arrangement of the pendulum suspension (with butterfly nut regulation) and high position lock to the trunk door become apparent. Early walnut longcase clocks with 9.5 inch dials by Joseph Knibb rarely come onto the market however a closely related (albeit marginally earlier) example to the current lot was sold at Christies, London, 11th July 2003 (lot 79) for £173,250; whilst a similar but slightly later clock with 10 inch dial (case with later crest, reconverted rising hood and restored base) was sold at Tennants, Leyburn 18th November 2010 (lot 1399) for £85,000 hammer. 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.