JOHANNES KNIBB, Oxon fecit c1685
Description:
A small quarter repeating spring table timepiece. The ebony veneered case with matching escutcheons to the door and cast, pierced, foliate mounts to the front and sides of the dome top, supporting brass carrying handle. The six inch square brass dial is mounted with a silvered chapter ring and early winged cherub spandrels. The centre is finely matted with pierced and faceted blued steel pointers. The single fusée timepiece escapement is fully latched with five baluster pillars. The movement has eight day duration with a verge escapement and pull quarter repeat - the quarters sounded on a small bell and the hours on a large bell. The back plate is finely engraved with flowers around the maker’s signature. Johannes Knibb was a member of the eminent Knibb family. He was born in 1650, a brother of Joseph, for whom he worked from about 1664. He was free from the Clockmakers' Company in 1673 and continued to work in Oxford after Joseph had moved to London, becoming Mayor of Oxford. He had a varied clientele but his finest work was equal to that of his brother. Most of his work was signed at Oxford but examples do exist signed Hanslope and London.
Clockmaker: JOHANNES KNIBB, Oxon fecit
Circa: 1685
Stock Number: 3848
Height: 12 inches (30 cm.)