Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
A rare Edmund Massey tortoiseshell repeating and alarm bracket…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
7-Dec-2020
Lot No.
***
Description:
A rare Edmund Massey tortoiseshell repeating and alarm bracket clock, basket top form with gilt brass handle, the door bezel top with gilt repousse swag fretwork culminating in a cherub at centre. The sides with gilt floral and figural sound frets backed with crimson silk. Sat on gilt claw feet. The square brass face incorporating a silvered Roman chapter ring for the hours and subsidiary Arabic numerals for the minutes. The plain matted centre with a single winding square and pendulum aperture for bob, with engraved work to the inset aperature edge. Signature set within pendulum bob aperature, 'Massey London'. Silver alarm setting ring at centre. Gilt cherub spandrels to edges. The gilt movement backplate unsigned with elaborate engraved foliate decoration culminating in a cornucopia. A catch claw for keeping the pendulum during travel. Verge escapement rack. Cord pull repeating the quarters on a single bell. A charging cord pull for the alarm to the side. Circa 1695. Height: 34 cm width: 21 cm depth: 13.5 cm. Provenance: G. E. Marsh antique clocks, Winchester, United Kingdom, the collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney, acquired from the above. Other Notes: Edmund Massey was bound as apprentice to Joseph Knibb in London 1673. He became a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1682. Joseph Knibb has been regarded as one of the greatest horologists of his time after Tompion. Knibb's sparse and elegant style can be seen in Massey's bare matted dial, very similar cherub spandrels can be seen in other bracket clocks by Knibb (Bonhams, New York, 7 Dec 2010, lot 58).
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Unclassified