Lewis Walduck
Cataloguer
Lot 85
A late 17th century repousse-brass mounted ebony table timepiece with pull quarter repeat John Drew, Johnsons Court Fleet Street, London
2 July 2025, 13:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£5,000 - £8,000
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A late 17th century repousse-brass mounted ebony table timepiece with pull quarter repeat
John Drew, Johnsons Court Fleet Street, London
The caddy top surmounted by a foliate-tied S-scroll handle over three applied repousse mounts and four turned finials, the front door further applied with repoussé sound fret, the sides glazed and the whole on a moulded base and block feet. The 6.75 inch square brass dial with winged cherubs head spandrels interspersed with foliate engraving, the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with fancy cruciform half-hour markers enclosing a matted centre with mock pendulum aperture, ringed winding square and date aperture, the lower edge signed between VII and V. The movement with six vase-shaped turned pillars, re-converted verge escapement and single gut fusee, the reinstated pull quarter repeat work sounding on two bells, the finely engraved backplate decorated with foliate scrolls and signed within a stylised cartouche John Drew Johnsons Court Fleet Street London. Ticking and repeating. Sold together with a pierced brass 'Knibb-style' key, one repousse-, and two cast- door mounts.
40cms high with handle (16 ins) 36cms without (14.5ins).
The caddy top surmounted by a foliate-tied S-scroll handle over three applied repousse mounts and four turned finials, the front door further applied with repoussé sound fret, the sides glazed and the whole on a moulded base and block feet. The 6.75 inch square brass dial with winged cherubs head spandrels interspersed with foliate engraving, the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with fancy cruciform half-hour markers enclosing a matted centre with mock pendulum aperture, ringed winding square and date aperture, the lower edge signed between VII and V. The movement with six vase-shaped turned pillars, re-converted verge escapement and single gut fusee, the reinstated pull quarter repeat work sounding on two bells, the finely engraved backplate decorated with foliate scrolls and signed within a stylised cartouche John Drew Johnsons Court Fleet Street London. Ticking and repeating. Sold together with a pierced brass 'Knibb-style' key, one repousse-, and two cast- door mounts.
40cms high with handle (16 ins) 36cms without (14.5ins).
Footnotes
John Drew began his horological career in 1676 as an apprentice to the esteemed Joseph Knibb. Over nearly three decades, he trained eight apprentices of his own. In April 1712, Drew assumed the post of Beadle of the Clockmakers' Company, a role he held until his death the following year, during which time he received modest support from the Company. His successor in that office was Christopher Gould.
The casework associated with Drew is strikingly aligned with that of his master Joseph Knibb. The handle and the upper moulding, known among collectors as 'Phase IV', further reinforce this association.
Additional information
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