CHARLES GRETTON, London c1685
Description:
An extremely rare Charles II quarter striking longcase clock of small proportions. The case is veneered in olivewood and oysters of olivewood with inset panels of bird and floral marquetry laid within an ebony background. Standing on bun feet, there is a moulded lenticle to the trunk door and the hood is flanked by barley twist columns rising to the flat top.
The 10 in square dial is mounted with early winged cherub spandrels, a subsidiary seconds’ ring to the matted centre with an aperture below to view the day of the month. The blued steel pointers are finely pierced and facetted and the dial plate is signed by the maker beneath 6 o’clock.
The exceptionally high quality eight-day duration movement includes bolt and shutter maintaining power and a very rare feature of quarter striking with the quarters sounded on two bells and the hours on a separate bell.
Charles Gretton was a celebrated maker of early clocks. He was born in 1649 and apprenticed at the age of 13, eventually becoming Free in 1670. He established his workshop in Fleet Street and was eventually appointed Master in 1700. He is thought to have died circa 1730.
Clockmaker: CHARLES GRETTON
Circa: 1685
Stock Number: 3886s
Height: 78 inches (199 cm.)