A William and Mary walnut and marquetry longcase clock by John Knibb of Oxford

A William and Mary walnut and marquetry longcase clock by John Knibb of Oxford, the brass eight day movement of light construction with seven ring turned and knopped pillars and recoil anchor escapement, with fine winged nut regulation suspension above the back cock, with bolt and shutter maintaining power, the outside countwheel striking on a bell, the 11in latched dial with gilt cast cherub mask spandrels, with a silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals, the matted centre with engraved calendar aperture and subsidiary seconds dial and applied with a shaped signature plaque inscribed 'JOHN KNIBB OXON', the case with a domed caddy top inlaid with flowers and shells, with giltwood ball finials above a fret carved frieze and spiral pilasters to the formerly rising hood, the trunk door inset with a lenticle and decorated with three shaped panels of finely drawn bird, flower and putti marquetry, all on an ebony ground and within a walnut border, the crossbanded plinth with similar decoration, the sides divided into shaped panels by stringing, on bun feet, 210cm high, together with a first edition copy of the 'Knibb Family Clockmakers' by Ronald A. Lee, no.550 of 1,000 printed. (2)

John Knibb was born c.1650 and was apprenticed to Joseph Knibb his older brother in St Clements in c.1664. After a year the business moved to the south side of Holywell Street. When Joseph moved to London in 1670, John took over the Oxford business gaining the Freedom of the city in 1673. John became a very important figure in Oxford twice becoming Mayor in 1698-99 and 1710-11. He continued in business until 1722.

The signature plaque on this lot compares very closely to a dial featured in Ronald Lee, The Knibb Family Clockmakers, p.111, pl.114.

Certain elements of the movement with its fine plates and butterfly nut regulation on the top of the suspension spring are typical features of John Knibb.