Beschreibung:

Y A WILLIAM III GILT BRASS MOUNTED EBONY 'BASKET-TOP' TABLE CLOCK JOHN MONCREIFT, LONDON, CIRCA 1695 The six finned pilar twin fusee bell striking movement with verge escapement regulated by short bob pendulum, the backplate finely engraved with husk swag decorated symmetrical foliate scrollwork around an oval herringbone bordered cartouche signed Jn'o Moncreift, London, the 7 inch square gilt brass dial with ringed winding holes and scroll-bordered false bob and calendar apertures to the matted centre, within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised sword hilt half hour markers , Arabic five minutes beyond the outer minute track and signed Moncreift, London to lower margin, with fine scroll-pierced blues steel hands, applied gilt winged cherub mask spandrels to angles and vestigial N/S strike/silent selection switch at twelve o'clock, the case with Quare-type hinged foliate bud tied scroll-shaped carrying handle over later pierced gilt brass 'basket' superstructure cast with winged cherub masks flanked by putti riding cornucopiae above repeating leaf lower border and flanked by pineapple finials, with complex top mouldings over hinged glazed front, rectangular side windows and further glazed door set within the frame of the case to the rear, on conforming complex moulded skirt base with gilt brass squab feet, (formerly with pull-quarter repeat work - now removed). 39cm (15.25ins) high with handle down, 27cm (10.5ins) wide, 18cm (7ins) deep. A John Moncrief is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born around 1674 and apprenticed to John Bellard through Amos Wynch in 1688, but apparently did not gain his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company. One of this name signed the oath of allegiance for the Merchant Taylors' Company in 1697 and a record of the baptism of a child is recorded to a John Moncrief and wife Rebecca as taking place at St. Christopher le Stocks in 1704. Loomes notes a longcase clock and a clock-watch signed 'John Moncrief, London.