18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stephen Rimbault
Sold
Request Information
Follow Us
18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stephen Rimbault
By Stephen Rimbault
The impressive mahogany case has a bell top and is surmounted by four pineapple finials on the corners and an additional finial to the centre. There are carrying handles to each side as well as circular silk-backed pierced brass sound frets. The case is glazed on all sides so that the complex movement is almost entirely visible. It rests on four brass ogee bracket feet and brass mouldings to both the top and base.
The extremely unusual partly painted shaped brass dial has a silvered Roman chapter ring with a recessed signature plaque, Stpn Rimbault London, and a date aperture in the matted centre. In the corners are fine pierced gilt brass spandrels. The time is indicated by a pair of very fine pierced blued-steel hands on the Roman chapter ring with Arabic five-minute and minute divisions.
The special, extremely rare and charming feature of the clock, is that above the dial there is a painted automaton depicting four eighteenth-century dress musicians, one playing the harpsichord, two other string instruments and a conductor. The hand of the harpsichord player, the bows of the string instruments players and the conductor’s baton are constantly moving with the going train. Fabulous!
The triple gut-fusee spring-driven eight-day movement has a going train with its original verge escapement and short pendulum with knife-edge suspension. The quarters are chimed on a nest of eight bells with eight hammers, on the hour followed by the hour on an additional bell. In addition, the striking can be repeated at will by pulling a cord to the side. The backplate is elaborately engraved around the maker’s signature Stpn Rimbault London.
Note on the maker
As his name suggests Stephen Rimbault was of Huguenot descent. He specialised in musical and/or automaton clocks in the second and third quarters of the eighteenth century. There is a most impressive clock by his hand in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. His brother Paul was also a clockmaker, of whom we also have a clock in our collection, albeit of a much more moderate style.
Condition
Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions
Height: 21.66 in. (55 cm)
Width: 11.42 in. (29 cm)
Depth: 7.68 in. (19.5 cm)
Literature
Brian Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, London, 2006, p. 656.
PREVIOUSLY SOLD
17th Century William and Mary Marquetry Longcase Clock, Signed Apply
17th Century William and Mary Marquetry Longcase Clock, Signed Apply SoldFollow Us17th Century William and Mary Marquetry Longcase Clock, Signed Apply A wonderful late seventeenth-century rising hood 10-inch William and Mary eight-day floral...
William IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London
William IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London SoldFollow UsWilliam IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London William IV/Early Victorian Table Clock by Widenham, c. 1835-40 This...
Substantial 19th C. Ebonised Eight-Day Library Table Clock by Moreland Chester
Ebonised Eight-Day Library Table Clock by Moreland Chester SoldFollow UsEbonised Eight-Day Library Table Clock by Moreland Chester This impressive library clock has an exceptionally large six-pillar, spring-driven eight-day twin chain-fusee...
A unique early ninetieth-century travelling clock signed French Royal Exchange LONDON
A unique early ninetieth-century travelling clock signed on the silvered dial and the backplate French Royal Exchange LONDON.
Fine Eight Day 19th Century Architectural Vienna Biedermeier Regulator Clock
Fine Eight Day 19th Century Architectural Vienna Biedermeier Regulator Clock SoldFollow UsFine Eight Day 19th Century Architectural Vienna Biedermeier Regulator Clock A fine and extremely elegant Vienna regulator of wonderful proportions with...
17th Century William and Mary Eight-Day burl Elm Floral Marquetry Longcase Clock
17th Century William and Mary Eight-Day burl Elm Floral Marquetry Longcase Clock Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
17th Century William and Mary Marquetry Longcase Clock, Signed Apply
17th Century William and Mary Marquetry Longcase Clock, Signed Apply SoldFollow Us17th Century William and Mary Marquetry Longcase Clock, Signed Apply A wonderful late seventeenth-century rising hood 10-inch William and Mary eight-day floral...
William IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London
William IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London SoldFollow UsWilliam IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London William IV/Early Victorian Table Clock by Widenham, c. 1835-40 This...
Substantial 19th C. Ebonised Eight-Day Library Table Clock by Moreland Chester
Ebonised Eight-Day Library Table Clock by Moreland Chester SoldFollow UsEbonised Eight-Day Library Table Clock by Moreland Chester This impressive library clock has an exceptionally large six-pillar, spring-driven eight-day twin chain-fusee...
A unique early ninetieth-century travelling clock signed French Royal Exchange LONDON
A unique early ninetieth-century travelling clock signed on the silvered dial and the backplate French Royal Exchange LONDON.
Fine Eight Day 19th Century Architectural Vienna Biedermeier Regulator Clock
Fine Eight Day 19th Century Architectural Vienna Biedermeier Regulator Clock SoldFollow UsFine Eight Day 19th Century Architectural Vienna Biedermeier Regulator Clock A fine and extremely elegant Vienna regulator of wonderful proportions with...
17th Century William and Mary Eight-Day burl Elm Floral Marquetry Longcase Clock
17th Century William and Mary Eight-Day burl Elm Floral Marquetry Longcase Clock Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
A Fine Set of Six George III 18th Century Gothic Chippendale Dining Chairs, 1760
A Fine Set of Six George III 18th Century Gothic Chippendale Dining Chairs, 1760 £12,900Follow UsA...
A fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or ‘table box’, circa 1675-1690.
A fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or 'table box', circa 1675-1690. £12,600Follow UsA fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or 'table...
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand £28,000Follow UsA...
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
An Elegant and Rare George II Pollard Oak and Walnut Card Table, Circa 1740
An Elegant and Rare George II Pollard Oak and Walnut Card Table, Circa 1740 £15,900Follow UsAn...
A Fine Set of Six George III 18th Century Gothic Chippendale Dining Chairs, 1760
A Fine Set of Six George III 18th Century Gothic Chippendale Dining Chairs, 1760 £12,900Follow UsA...
A fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or ‘table box’, circa 1675-1690.
A fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or 'table box', circa 1675-1690. £12,600Follow UsA fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or 'table...
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand £28,000Follow UsA...
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
An Elegant and Rare George II Pollard Oak and Walnut Card Table, Circa 1740
An Elegant and Rare George II Pollard Oak and Walnut Card Table, Circa 1740 £15,900Follow UsAn...