A GEORGE I/II NORTH OXFORDSHIRE QUAKER-MADE IRON-FRAMED POST...

Estimate

£700 - £1,000

A GEORGE I/II NORTH OXFORDSHIRE QUAKER-MADE IRON-FRAMED POSTED HOOK-AND-SPIKE WALL CLOCKATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS OR RICHARD GILKES, SIBFORD OR ADDERBURY, CIRCA 1725-35The posted two train countwheel bell striking movement with Huygens' endless chain winding and anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the iron frame with rectangular corner posts rivetted to the top and bottom plates and the rear with shaped hanging hoop over spurs formed as forged perpendicular extensions to the lower ends of the rear movement posts, the 9.75 inch square brass dial with three concentric bands of engraved wrigglework decoration to centre, scroll-pierced steel hand within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with cruciform half hour markers, and with gilt twin cherub and crown pattern spandrels to angles.17cm (6.75ins) deep, 28cm (11ins) high.Thomas Gilkes is recorded in Beeson, C.F.C. Clockmaking in Oxfordshire 1400-1850 and Loomes, Brian The Early CLOCKMAKERS of Great Britain as born in Sibford circa 1665. He was a Quaker who married in 1702 and had sons Thomas in 1704 and Richard in 1715. Thomas junior subsequently set up as a clockmaker in Charlbury and Richard in Adderbury. Thomas Gilkes of Charlbury appears to have made very few clocks (possibly due to him also being a minister) however Richard Gilkes became a fairly prolific maker and is probably the best known of the north Oxfordshire Quaker clockmakers. Richard Gilkes married Grace Gower of Sibford in 1744, but despite the marriage producing six children Richard Gilkes had no male heirs on his death in 1787 due to both of his sons dying in childhood.Although unsigned, the present clock is essentially a textbook example of the type produced by Thomas Gilkes in Sibford towards the end of his career and then Richard Gilkes in Adderbury up until around 1750. Details such as the rivetted posted iron frame incorporating distinctive hanging hoop and spikes forged as part of the rear posts, together with distinctive wriggle-work engraved thin brass dial plates are seen on both makers work. The presence of cruciform half hour marks would suggest an early date, but the use of collets for mounting of the wheels (rather than directly onto tapered arbors) would suggest no earlier than around 1725.

More Information

Movement is in very original unrestored condition with the only possible noticeable replacement being the countwheel. Although there is some moderate pinion wear evident the trains will run but as the mechanism is dirty/dusty a gentle clean through, conservation and lubrication is advised. The dial plate has small losses to both upper corners otherwise is in good original condition but with oval light to moderate discolouration/mellowing to the finishes; the hand and spandrels appear original. Clock is complete with pendulum and weight.