Beschreibung:

A fine and very rare Charles II night timepiece Joseph Knibb London circa 1670-75 The rectangular six finned and latched pillar single fusee movement with backplate measuring 7.75 by 5 inches and horizontal silent verge escapement regulated by short bob pendulum, the sides with black japanned metal dust covers, the top with similar shutter extended at the rear to provide a platform for the light source, the frontplate with integral cast arched extension to the upper edge to carry the revolving hour disc driven by motionwork behind and incorporating two smaller revolving discs each pierced with Arabic hour numerals visible through circular apertures cut within the outer concentric band of the principal disc, the 9 inch square gilt brass dial with break-arch centre panel painted with a scene of horsemen dismounting within a pastoral landscape beneath pierced arched sector to reveal the revolving chapter hour disc painted with cherubs in flight on a sky blue ground behind, the upper margin with pierced Roman numerals I, II and III for the quarters and incorporating scalloped inner edge with each division denoting the minutes, the lower margin signed Joseph Knibb Londini fecit over an engraved perspective pavement flanked by vertical panels engraved with delicate floral trails and paired Corinthian columns, the upper angles decorated with tied foliage flanked by grotesque lion's masks, in a gilt brass mounted ebony veneered table-top case with triangular tympanum applied with square panel outline mouldings to upper surfaces and with fine gilt mount modelled as an elaborate Baroque shield flanked by cherubs to front, the lintel with generous gilt festoon swags of fruiting foliage over rectangular glazed front door applied with raised moulding to the aperture and flanked by solomonic twist Corinthian columns with finely detailed capitals and bases, the sides with rectangular blind panels and conforming quarter columns applied to bargeboards at the rear, the base with projecting plinths for the columns at the angles, the rear with flat surface applied with geometric border mouldings behind the pediment over rectangular door with conforming panel decoration (movement with restoration, case now with removable superstructure, some restoration and adaptations), 52cm (20.5ins) high. Provenance: Formerly the property of H. Alan Lloyd, sold on instruction of his widow at Sotheby's, London, 2nd December 1974 (lot 33); sold again at Antiquorum, Geneva in their sale titled THE ART OF BRITISH HOROLOGY 21st October 1995 (lot 13) for a hammer price of CHF 50,000 (approximately £32,000 including 10% buyer's premium). Literature: Illustrated in Lloyd, Alan H. OLD CLOCKS (first published 1951) Plates 46 C. and D. Joseph Knibb was born the fifth son of Thomas Knibb of Claydon, Oxfordshire in 1640. He is generally thought to have been apprenticed in around 1655 to his cousin Samuel Knibb in Newport Pagnell, before moving to Oxford circa 1662 (the same year that Samuel moved to London). Joseph initially struggled to trade in Oxford due to restrictions placed by the City authorities which were only relaxed on payment of a fine in 1668. It was about at this time that Joseph Knibb would have issued his copper trade tokens (an example of which was sold in these rooms 10th February 2009, lot 104 for £1,600 hammer) as well looking to undertake work to convert the turret clocks of St. Mary the Virgin and Wadham College to anchor escapement with long pendulum. In 1670 Joseph moved to London handing over the Oxford business to his younger brother, John. The reason for this move was probably to administer the estate of Samuel who is thought to have died by the summer of 1671. Joseph Knibb presumably took on Samuel's former workshop as by 1675 he was recorded as working from 'The Dyal' near Sargeants Inn in Fleet Street. By 1693 he had moved to 'The Clock Dyal' Suffolk Street, near Charing Cross. As Joseph became established in London his work became more indivi