CASE DETAILS
Well proportioned figured walnut veneered case with lenticle to trunk door, barley sugar twist hood columns, cornice flat top with pierced frieze under.Convex throat moulding.
DIAL DETAILS
10 7/8" square brass dial with finely matted dial centre, profusely decorated with cup and ring turnings plus ringed winding holes, ringed date box, and ringed seconds aperture.The chapter ring signed "Francis Martin in Chelmsford" being engraved and silvered in contrast to the polished and lacquered brass centre and corners. Rare extra feature of planet/day of the week symbol above the date box. Exquisite blued cut steel hands.
MOVEMENT DETAILS
Very fine quality 8 day movement with 5 knopped and finned pillars ( 4 latched, the centre being for location only ).Hourly ( inside countwheel ) striking on a single bell.Superb "London" quality of workmanship.
MAKER DETAILS
Francis Martin of Chelmsford is recorded "born circa 1670, apprenticed to John Wells ( London ) Aug 1683 til 1690 but not freed".There are many examples of clockmakers not taking up their freedom ( right to trade ) in London choosing instead to set up in a provincial town where they would not have to pay substantial fees to the Clockmakers Company.
If they decided that they wanted to return and set up in London, then they would have to apply for their freedom and pay the fees.
Some got around this situation by constantly moving addresses in London, the only other options being to work outside the jurisdiction of the Clockmakers Company, or, "moonlight" for another established clockmaker the latter being very popular - even the heirarchy of the Clockmakers Company itself was known to employ such men.
DATE - Dating by style circa 1695.
HEIGHT - 86.6" ( 220 cms. ).