DANIEL QUARE and STEPHEN HORSEMAN, London
Description:
An exemplary Queen Anne, quarter repeating spring table clock contained in an understated ebony veneered cabinet. Standing on moulded block feet, the refined and elegantly proportioned case is mounted with two brass escutcheons, pierced wooden sound frets to the front and sides and a brass carrying handle to the caddy top.
The brass dial with silvered chapter ring is mounted to the lower corners with mask head spandrels. The matted centre includes an aperture to view a false pendulum and a polished area signed by the makers. To each corner above the chapter ring are subsidiary dials, one for strike silent, the other for rise and fall regulation. Within the arch is a larger subsidiary dial indicating the day of the month with peripheral engraving.
The high quality, eight day duration movement has a verge escapement. The hours are sounded on a bell and the quarters can be repeated at will on six bells. The engraving to the backplate is quite outstanding with a bold design including tulips, cornucopia and a ho-ho bird. The makers’ signatures are repeated to the backplate within an engraved lambrequin.
Daniel Quare was a worthy contemporary of Tompion. Born in 1647, he was admitted as a Brother of the Clockmakers Company in 1671 and served as Master in 1708. Towards the latter part of his career he went into partnership with Stephen Horseman who had been apprenticed to him. When Daniel Quare died in 1724, Horseman carried on the business until 1733.
Clockmaker: DANIEL QUARE and STEPHEN HORSEMAN, London
Circa: 1720
Stock Number: 4238
Height: 18 inches (46 cm.)