The Daniels Grande Sonnerie Knibb

Clockmaker: Joseph Knibb, London

Joseph Knibb, London Circa 1680

A very fine Charles II ebony Phase III double six-hour Grande Sonnerie striking table clock

The Daniels Knibb is a rare clock that has a power saving arrangement first used in Continental Europe, later adopted by Joseph Knibb, who used the power saving double six-hour striking system specifically on his full Grande Sonnerie clocks, where the hour is struck at every quarter as well as on the hour.

The first six hours are struck normally, the strike reverts to one blow at VII o’clock, through to six blows at XII o’clock. The count wheel is cut for two runs of six hours. The double six-hour Grande Sonnerie method requires a total of 288 blows every 12 hours; 120 blows from the quarter train and 168 blows from the hour train. A conventional full Grande Sonnerie clock strikes the hours 624 times in 12 hours.

Case

The Phase III ebony veneered case surmounted by a gilt brass foliate tied handle above the cushion domed top with fine quality gilt brass foliate mounts to the front and sides and flanked by four gilt brass urn finials. The front door with gilt brass cherub and scroll escutcheons. The top rail of the door inset with a gilt brass foliate sound fret, the sides with glazed apertures. Standing on gilt brass flat bun feet.

Dial

The 7 ¼ inch square gilt dial with matted centre and chamfered date aperture below XII. The delicate skeletonised silvered chapter ring with inner quarter division ring, pierced Roman hour numerals and spear half hour markers, the outer ring divided for minutes and each Arabic minute individually numbered outside. Signed Joseph Knibb London to the lower margin. Knibb pattern pierced and sculpted blued steel hands.

Movement

The finely made three train eight day fusee movement with ten vase shaped baluster pillars, latched to the split front plate, for individual train assembly. The knife edge verge escapement with short bob pendulum. Small numbered count wheel for the quarters, striking on the smaller bell and larger double six hour numbered count wheel for the hours, striking on the larger bell. Beautifully engraved back plate with tulips, open flowers, and scrolling foliage, signed in an arc Joseph Knibb Londini Fecit.

Purchased by George Daniels at Sothebys auction in London 28 April 1988.

Subsequently purchased by John Taylor at the George Daniels sale Sothebys in 2012.

Height 13 ¼ ins (34.5 cm)