A William and Mary walnut marquetry longcase clock by John Foorde of Oxon

A William and Mary walnut marquetry longcase clock by John Foorde of Oxon, the brass eight day movement with five turned pillars, one latched, with a recoil anchor escapement and an outside countwheel striking on a bell, with an 11in dial with gilt cast cherub and leaf spandrels, the silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals, signed 'John Foorde Oxon', the matted centre with subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture, with ringed winding holes, the case with a domed caddy top, inlaid with floral sprays above a fret carved frieze, with later gilt ball finials, with spiral twist columns to the formerly rising hood, the trunk door inset with a lenticle and decorated with three shaped panels inlaid with flowers, birds and mermaids baring their breasts, the plinth similarly veneered and on bun feet, the sides crossbanded and divided into panels by stringing, 218cm high.

John Foorde (or Ford) was born c.1669. He was apprenticed to John Knibb of Oxford between 1682 and 1690 and was one of his ten apprentices. He was free in 1691 and continued to work in Oxford until 1708 after which me moved to Aylesbury with records indicating he was working there c.1712.