Richard Lyons London. Circa 1680. A fine, early month going longcase clock, 10 inch dial, burr walnut case.
A fine and significantly early month going longcase clock by Richard Lyons, London dating to around 1680. 10 inch dial, narrow chapter ring, C&W number 3 type spandrels, typical compact case with burr walnut veneers. All original dial/ movement/ case, very rare!
This recently came from a collection in Richmond, London where I believe it had been in the same ownership for many years.
Richard Lyons was an eminent clock-maker of his time, one of the earlier 'golden age' makers. He was apprenticed to William Almond in 1649 and gained his freedom in 1656. He then rose through the ranks of the Clockmaker's Company and became master in 1683. His clocks would have echoed the fashions of the time. In 1680 Longcase clocks were relatively recently on the scene, the earliest 'prototypes' made during the later 1660s, through the 1670s a domestic market developed for this type of clock although they were very rare and expensive items.
Month clocks are always significantly rarer than 8-day examples. To find one this early and original is very rare. You are really in the domain of the very top makers here, Knibbs etc.
The clock is fully working and in, frankly, amazing condition for the age. Inevitably there will have been some work to the case over the years, the original rising hood has been converted to slide forward most likely centuries ago. The trunk door has bowed out a little at the bottom, a common enough thing on these old walnut cases. There are some small shrinkage cracks to the veneer on the base.
The dial and movement are in good, clean condition and look as though they had a refresh/ clean about 30 years ago. The silvering has faded slightly but it is a good look. The movement is fundamentally clean, just a hint of tarnish to some areas of brass. I have given the movement a basic service and checked for correct operation, all good. If required I am happy to properly clean the movement and/ or re-silver but I don't consider this necessary at the moment.
Overall height is just under 78 inches, very compact and therefore practical for modern houses.