Jonathan Puller, London SOLD

SOLD

A fine William and Mary ebony table clock made by Jonathan Puller, London. The six inch mercury gilt dial signed Jonathan Puller, London, with silvered chapter ring, finely matted centre, false pendulum aperture and calendar aperture. Beautifully sculpted blued steel hands and finely detailed winged cherub mask spandrels, strike/silent lever over XII. The eight day movement with substantial plates, six latched baluster pillars and latched dial feet. Verge escapement with internal rack striking on a bell, the backplate engraved with wheatear borders enclosing daffodils and tulips among foliate scrolls with cartouche signed Jonathan Puller Londini Fecit. The ebony veneered case surmounted by a gilt thistle bud handle above the cushion moulded top flanked by four finials. The front and rear door with gilt winged cherubs head escutcheons, the top rail to the front door with pierced ebony sound fret.

Date circa 1690

Height 12 1/2 inches (32 cm)

Jonathan Puller was born circa 1662 and apprenticed to Nicholas Coxeter, being passed over to John Miller on Coxeter's death in 1679. He was made Free of the Clockmakers' Company in September 1683 and over the next twenty four years of his career he is recorded as having employed eight apprentices. He was made Assistant in 1701 and attended Court until 1707, when he is presumed to have died.


The style of the movement with the baluster movement pillars are all reminiscent of the work of Joseph Knibb. The likeness is perhaps not surprising; Puller's master, John Miller (d.1702), was apprenticed first to Samuel Knibb (d.1670) and then bound over to Joseph Knibb (d.1711). The few examples extant of Miller's work have a marked 'Knibb' style and it is probable that some of the Knibb influence rubbed off on his own apprentice.

The National Trust property, Montacute House, have a fine silver mounted table clock by Jonathan Puller.