Langley Bradley London. Circa 1705. A fine and rare marquetry month going longcase clock.
A fine and rare marquetry, month going longcase clock by Langley Bradley dating to around 1705, Queen Anne period.
The 12 inch dial with finely matted centre, ringed winders, foliate engraving around the date aperture, typical period corner spandrels, silvered chapter ring with half hour and half-quarter markers. Finely cut steel hands.
The substantial movement of 1 month (32 day) duration with 5 knopped and finned pillars, original wheelwork with brass domed collets, The strike governed by outside countwheel higher up on the rear plate.
The very detailed arabesque marquetry and walnut case on an oak ground, the complex front panels showing foliate patterns interspersed with numerous birds. The trunk door with lenticle, the sides with walnut 'panelled' patterns. The hood with fine fretwork to front and sides.
Overall height is just under 82 inches.
A stunning month going clock by one of the top London makers of the period. Langley Bradley was apprenticed to Joseph Wise 1687/88 and became a freeman of the Clockmaker's Company in 1695, he would go on to become master later in his career. He famously installed the original turret clock for St Paul's Cathedral 1707 to 1709, also the courtyard clock tower at Blenheim Palace 1710.
This clock is typical in style for the period 1700 to 1710. By this time dials had largely standardised in size to 12 inches square. The floral marquetry style cases from the end of the previous century had developed into finer 'Arabesque' and 'seaweed' designs. Most of the luxury domestic clocks from this period were of 8 day duration, month clocks are a small minority made by a handful of top makers and would have been extremely expensive items.
The clock is fully working and generally in very good condition. The movement checked and serviced. The case shows some inevitable signs of age but is very good overall. The detailing and colour of the marquetry panels is exceptional.