A good late 17th century quarter repeating ebony basket top table clock
Joshua Wilson, London
Surmounted by a waisted repousse top with central handle over a medallion depicting St George and the Dragon, flanked by walking figures and foliate scrolls, framed by four fancy finials, the moulded cornice over glazed rectangular side panels to a moulded base and squat bun feet, the front door with matching repousse escutcheon plates. The 7 inch square brass dial framed by winged cherub's head spandrels and strike/not strike lever above XII on the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring, with fleur-de-lyse half-quarter markers, minute band, meeting-arrow-head half hour markers and inner quarter hour track, the finely matted centre with large curved mock pendulum aperture enlightened by a repeat-engraved border, the date aperture similarly decorated, with ringed winding holes and blued steel hands. The twin gut fusee movement united by six knopped ringed pillars, the going train terminating in a knife edge verge escapement, the striking train with rack strike announcing the hours on a single bell, and repeating the quarters on demand via the pull-cord to the side sounding on three bells and hammers. The fully engraved backplate signed in an oval cartouche Joshua Wilson Londini within a pattern of interlaced foliate and floral scrolls 43cms (17ins) high
Footnotes:
Joshua Wilson was apprenticed in 1688 and worked in Lombard Street and later Clements Lane until 1714 when he probably died. His work can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum and a longcase clock was in the Wetherfield Collection. After 1699 he worked with the widow of Francis Stamper, meaning he was also a Quaker. He was obviously a maker of some repute and was well connected within the horological trade. A table clock by him was sold in these rooms the 8 June 2004.