A WILLIAM POSTED THIRTY-HOUR LONGCASE CLOCK MOVEMENT WITH TEN-INCH DIAL

A WILLIAM POSTED THIRTY-HOUR LONGCASE CLOCK MOVEMENT WITH TEN-INCH DIALWilliam Speakman, London, circa 1695The countwheel bell-striking two-handed movement with Huygens's endless winding, anchor escapement for regulation by seconds pendulum and column-turned corner posts, the 10 inch square brass dial with calendar aperture to the finely matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fleur-de-lys half hour markers, Arabic five minutes within the outer minute track and signed Etherington, London to lower margin, with scroll-pierced steel hands and winged cherub mask cast spandrels to angles, now in an oak hooded wall case with ogee-moulded shallow-arch pediment over fixed glazed dial aperture and rectangular side windows to hood, the wall bracket with inverted pointed arch-shaped lower edge to the backboard applied with ogee-outline brackets beneath convex throat mouldings, (no pendulum or weights).The case 72cm (28.5ins) high, 35cm (13.75ins) wide, 20cm (8ins) deep Provenance: The Estate of Lawrance Hurst. William Speakman is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as apprenticed in 1654 to Peter Closon then Andrew Prime (through Nicholas Tomlins) and gained his freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in September 1661. He initially worked from in Westminster and took in numerous apprentices including three of his sons; Thomas (freed 1685), Edward (freed 1681/2) and William (II) who was entered into his apprenticeship in 1688 but apparently never gained his freedom. In July 1682 he was chosen as a Clockmakers' Company Steward, became an Assistant from 1691, Warden from 1698, served as Master in 1701 and continued attending until his death in 1717.Condition Report: Movement is in original albeit very dirty/neglected condition with heavy patination to the brass and light surface corrosion to the steelwork throughout. The trains appear entirely original including the escape wheel; the pallets may well be 19th century service replacements. The warning locking flag has been repaired and the crutch appears to be a replacement made from bent wire; the hammer has also been repaired and one of the screws for securing the dial to the top plate is missing. The calendar driving wheel is missing. Otherwise movement appears in sound 'untouched' condition although the pinions due exhibit fairly heavy wear mainly to the upper wheels of the strike train. The dial is in dirty but good original condition; the hour hand is a later replacement.The case has some age (most likely early 20th century) but is not contemporary to the movement. The backboard is has noticeable historic worm damage to the upper corners and at the base otherwise case is in sound condition with only minor age related shrinkage and a few bumps, scuffs, blemishes commensurate with age. The surface is dirty/dusty but this adds to a feeling of age and would probably form a good basis for reasonable patina/colour in the hands of a good case restorer/finisher.As catalogued there is no pendulum or weight with the current lot. Condition Report Disclaimer