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17th Century Erasmus Micklewright Tall Case Clock
- Description
We present this incredible 17th Century to very early 18th Century Tall Case Clock by the London Clockmaker, Erasmus Micklewright. This clock was acquired at a high-end estate sale and has been authenticated by myself, as I am a Clockmaker and antiques appraiser. Feel free to invite your own expert to evaluate the clock. The case of the clock is in unbelievable condition, with ALL of its original marquetry work intact. Even the back is the original wood. The brass face shows traces of the silvering that was once a prominent feature, but has largely disappeared after 3 centuries of polishing. It is still crisply engraved and bears the name of Micklewright (see pics). The movement is in beautiful condition, just serviced and keeps time to within a couple of minutes per day. The case does show evidence of old repairs to the structure, but all original wood appears to have been preserved. I believe the pictures speak for themselves and more are available upon request. I will deliver and set this clock up myself for a fee up to 1000 miles away from Jax, Fl. Size is 80"x18"x9"
*NOTE on authenticity: This clock bears on the dial the name of 17th Century Clockmaker Erasmus Micklewright, London who was active from 1685 to 1708. He had a father by the same name who was also a clockmaker, but he was active in London much earlier than this clock. It is a square brass dial with a matte center, dials were foliage engraved after circa 1700 and arched from circa 1720. The dial features spandrels of twin cherubs with a crown which dates it to between 1690 and 1720. The dial also features half quarter hour markers which were only used prior to 1720. The minute number “5” has a short tail indicating pre-1710 manufacture. It has decorative rings around the winding holes, another feature of very early brass dials. It has the square date window which changed to round around 1760. The trunk door of the clock is flush, a feature that disappeared entirely after 1730. The case is finely inlaid with marquetry which top end London clocks would have from 1675 to at latest circa 1720. Finally, the famous English Clockmaker Thomas Tompion was a contemporary of Micklewright, working in London at the same time. Photographic records exist of a Tompion clock from the same era that is nearly a twin of this Micklewright clock. It is not to be wondered at that the lesser clockmaker would imitate the much more well-known and successful Tompion in a bid to sell his own clocks. All of this research info is readily available and verifiable. As I stated above, I am a Clocksmith and Antiques appraiser and guarantee the accuracy of this age estimate.