18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 1

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 2

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 3

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 4

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 5

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 6

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 7

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock By Stephen Rimbault 8

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-1

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-2

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-3

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-4

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-5

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-6

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-7

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stepen Rimbault-8

18th Century George III Mahogany Quarter Striking Automation Bracket Clock by Stephen Rimbault

Sold

Request Information

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

A Small 18th century George I period table clock by Gamaliel Voyce, c.1725

A Small 18th century George I period table clock by Gamaliel Voyce, c.1725 SoldFollow UsA Small 18th century George I period table clock by Gamaliel Voyce, c.1725 An extremely attractive early 18th century George I period table clock of small...

18th-Century George III Mahogany Eight-Day 8″ Silver Dial Clock by T.M London

18th-Century George III Mahogany Eight-Day 8" Silver Dial Clock by T.M London Sold Follow Us18th-Century George III Mahogany Eight-Day 8" Silver Dial Clock by T.M London A Rare 18th-Century Georgian English 8" Dial Clock / Wall Clock, by...

Fine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York

Fine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York SoldFollow UsFine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York A Classic beautifully produced mid-19th century American chronometer...

Striking George IV Eight-Day Rosewood Pagoda Library Clock by French, London

Striking George IV Eight-Day Rosewood Pagoda Library Clock by French, London Sold Follow UsStriking George IV Eight-Day Rosewood Pagoda Library Clock by French, London This lovely small library clock has a spring-driven eight-day twin...

17th century William and Mary Ebony Eight-Day table clock by James Markwick

17th century William and Mary Ebony Eight-Day table clock by James Markwick Sold Follow Us17th century William and Mary Ebony Eight-Day table clock by James Markwick The elegantly proportioned ebony-veneered basket top case has fine cast...

A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Eight Day Table Clock with Trip Quarter Repeat

A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Eight Day Table Clock with Trip Quarter Repeat SoldFollow UsA Fine 18th Century Mahogany Eight Day Table Clock with Trip Quarter Repeat An eighteenth-century English spring-driven mahogany table clock, signed on...

« SEE MORE