Simon De Charmes London. Circa 1720. A fine quarter striking longcase clock in impressive figured walnut case.
Simon De Charmes London, a fine walnut cased, quarter striking longcase clock. Circa 1720, the complex three-train, five pillar movement sounding the quarters on 6 bells, the figured walnut case with impressive caddied and platform pediment, surmounted by 3 large brass finials. Silk-backed sound frets to the arch and hood sides. The dial with finely matted centre, silvered chapter ring, strike/ silent to the arch.
Complete and fully working. The movement has been properly cleaned and serviced.
3 brass-cased weights, brass-faced pendulum, winder and keys for trunk and hood locks (both working).
Overall height with centre finial 102 inches, without finial to the top of platform is 97 inches.
Further notes
This is a very impressive clock in just about every respect. The maker, Simon de Charmes, the period it was made being the latter part of the ‘golden age’, the quarter striking movement and the sheer presence of the large figured walnut case with complex pediment.
Simon de Charmes was a watch and clockmaker, a Frenchman exiled in London after the revocation of Nantes in 1685, he then worked in London and is listed in the Clockmaker’s Company from 1692 to around 1730. An online search will show that his clocks tend to be of a very up-market type. He is also notorious for making complex watches.
De Charmes was working in London during the so-called ‘golden age’ of English clockmaking, a time when the most famous clockmakers were trading, Tompion, Windmills, Quare etc were close contemporaries. By the end of this period, say around 1720, the fashion for clocks had changed from the diminutive ‘William & Mary’ style to significantly larger/ taller clocks with impressive pediments.
The quarter striking, three-train movement would have been a very luxurious item at the time. This one uses 6 bells and imitates the downward peal of church ringing. The quarters are differentiated by 1 peal at the first quarter, 2 at the second and so on. For the hour, 4 peals are sounded followed by the number of the hour on the strike train. Note that this is not really a ‘musical’ movement in that it does not play a tune. The strike/ silent lever in the arch silences both 6-bell and hourly strike functions.
The movement, particularly the front plate work, is complex even for a three-train clock. There are numerous springs, counter-springs and levers to regulate the quarter strike, certainly more than you would normally expect. Perhaps a touch of the ‘complexity’ that De Charmes also used in his watch making.
The case is a magnificent example, slightly wider to accommodate three weights. It is in very good condition, just a few little marks here and there but excellent lightish walnut colour and polish. The finials are proper heavy Georgian examples.