CHRISTOPHER GOULD, London c1685
Description:
A rare Charles II walnut veneered hooded wall clock by this eminent maker, with pull quarter repeating mechanism.
The 6 inch (15 cm) square brass dial with a finely matted centre and floral engraving between the cherub spandrels, has a silvered chapter ring signed Christopher Gould London. The sculpted blued steel hands are typical of the style favoured by Gould. The timepiece movement with baluster turned pillars, verge escapement and bob pendulum has pull quarter repeat mechanism sounded on two bells. The rising hood with domed caddy supporting a single gilt wood finial is supported by a carved scrolled bracket.
Christopher Gould was made a Free Brother in the Clockmakers’ Company in 1682. In 1697 he signed the Clockmakers’ Company oath of allegiance. In 1701 he worked near the east corner of the Royal Exchange. He was Beadle of the Company in 1713 but by then was receiving a charity pension which continued until his death in 1718. He was a prolific maker and there are a number of small walnut longcase clocks recorded with pull quarter repeating mechanism – it may be that these clocks were for bedroom use hence their small scale and pull repeat striking.
Height: 15 in (38 cm)
Illustrated: This clock is illustrated in Herbert Cescinsky The Old English Master Clockmakers. 1938. P. 85 Fig. 125.
Another later example by Christopher Gould in an arabesque marquetry case was exhibited at the Horological Masterworks in 2003 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Antiquarian Horological Society and is illustrated in the catalogue on page 178 Exhibit 39.
Clockmaker: CHRISTOPHER GOULD, London
Circa: 1685
Stock Number: 4092
Height: 15 inches (38 cm.)