William Stumbels, Totnes a lacquered longcase clock the eigh...

Hammer

£7,500

William Stumbels, Totnes a lacquered longcase clock the eight-day duration movement striking the hours on a bell with the thirteen-inch break-arch dial having a raised chapter ring engraved with black Roman numerals and fleur-de-lys half-hour markings, the matted centre with a subsidiary seconds dial and engraved decoration to the date aperture, with cast-brass urn corner spandrels, with a strike/silent lever above XII, the arch having a silvered boss engraved with the makers name William Stumbels, Totness, the green lacquered case with raised Oriental chinoiserie decoration and having carved giltwood corbels below the hood corners, the pediment top having giltwood flame finials with the base standing on a double plinth, height 254cm. * Biography: William Stumbels is one of the finest of the Westcountry clockmakers being a craftsman of great artistic ability, and made clocks for the owners of many of the areas principal houses including the Carew and Courtenay families. One of his most illustrious clocks, and rightly described as his masterpiece, is the walnut longcase situated in Powderham Castle, with a case quite probably made by the Channon family, cabinet makers to the castle. Stumbels first established himself as a clockmaker at Aveton Gifford where he and Sarah Phillips were married on the 12th of November 1716, moving to Totnes in 1729. Sarah died in 1767 followed by William in 1769 being buried at Totnes on Christmas Day. J.K. Bellchambers, in Devonshire Clockmakers, describes William Stumbles as probably the most brilliant clockmaker of his time outside London. Many fine clocks are recorded signed by Stumbels, mainly longcase clocks but also turret clocks which are situated in both country estates and churches. A number of Stumbels clocks incorporate elaborate striking and chiming mechanisms, along with detailed equation-work, often set within the arch. Reference: Clive N. Ponsford Devon Clocks & Clockmakers Pub. David & Charles 1985, pages 97-107, illustrations 23-33. J.K. Bellchambers Devonshire Clockmakers Pub. The Author 1962.