Table clock by Henry Jones

London, England, around AD 1675

Following the introduction of the pendulum by Christiaan Huygens in 1657, table or bracket-mounted, spring-driven clocks became a popular furniture item for those who could afford them. The most common design in London during the 1670s was the 'architectural' style. The design of the case incorporated architectural elements such as a pedimented top and four corner pillars with Corinthian capitals.

Other new decorative features, introduced at this time and which can be seen in this example, were matting used as a textured finish for the dial centre and applied corner spandrel decorations. On this ebony veneered clock case, the spandrel decorations are in the form of applied, winged-cherub heads in cast gilded brass. Below the dial, at the front of the clock, there is also a conveniently placed drawer in which to keep the winding key.

The spring-driven movement is designed to go for eight days on a single wind, another feature that became common after the application of the pendulum to clocks. The clock has a verge escapement controlled by a pendulum. The movement back-plate is signed 'Henry Jones in The Temple'.

H. Tait, Clocks and watches (London, The British Museum Press, 1983)

P.G. Dawson, C.B. Drover and D.W. Parkes, Early English clocks (Woodbridge, Antique Collectors Club, 1982)