A Dutch ebonised quarter chiming double basket table clock, Pieter Klok, circa 1710.

Description

Table clock

Shortly after Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum movement in 1656, this innovation was brought to England by the young John Fromanteel. He was apprenticed to Salomon Coster, who was Christiaan Huygens’ clockmaker. His father, Ahasuerus Fromanteel, began making pendulum clocks. He soon developed the typical English longcase clock and English table clock. This marked the beginning of the Golden Age of English clockmaking, which brought many technical improvements. But there were also developments in the field of clock cases, which led to beautiful designs. From the early 1670s, a number of English clockmakers came to work in Holland. They introduced English clocks, which quickly gained popularity. So much so that Dutch clockmakers also started producing them. However, because clock production in London was large and therefore relatively cheap, the number of Dutch table clocks remained relatively small. This beautiful clock was made in the style of the late 17th century, with an pierced cast top that we refer to as “double basket”. It is not surprising that the English fashion was also popular in Holland, given the cultural ties between the countries during the reign of William and Mary. Not all table clocks from this period feature a “basket top”, which contributes to their rarity. This is further enhanced by the fact that this type of case top was not replicated later on. A beautiful and rare Dutch clock.

Mock pendulum

The 20 cm square brass dial has an engraved wheatearvborder. The silvered dial has Roman numerals and is signed P. Klok Amsterdam. The matted centre has three ringed winding holes and apertures for date indication and the mock pendulum. The corners feature cast brass cherub spandrels. The beautiful floral pierced hands are made of blued steel. The lever for striking/non-striking is located outside the IX hour nukeral.

Verge escapement

The beautiful, heavily built movement is driven by three spring barrels with fusee and is of eight day duration. It is regulated by a verge escapement in combination with a pendulum that is mounted directly on the verge axis. The clock has quarter chiming on six bells and rack hour striking on a single bell. The back plate is beautifully engraved with floral scrolls.

Double basket

The ebony veneered and ebonised cabinet has a floral cast brass cresting with a handle. This two-part cresting is referred to as a “double basket top”. Brass finials are placed on and around it. The front and rear doors are decorated all around with cast brass ornaments. Both sides feature beautifully cast brass side frets incorporating an architectural arch on columns. The moulded base is raised on flat turned brass feet.