The Daniels Roman striking Knibb

Clockmaker: Joseph Knibb, London

Joseph Knibb, London Dated 1677

An important small silver-mounted Roman striking table clock with a tic-tac escapement and with Royal provenance.

This is the first clock of Joseph Knibb’s Phase II series. Clocks by Joseph Knibb with velvet dials and silver mounts are extremely rare and considered some of the most exquisite and beautiful English clocks ever produced. Additionally this clock is unique in having Roman striking, a tic tac escapement and the inscription Invent et Fecit Anno Domini 1677. This could be referring to either the invention of Roman striking or the new tic-tac escapement.

Believed to have been commissioned by Charles II, the clock became part of George III’s collection, who subsequently presented it as a gift to his surgeon, Thomas Beckett, in recognition of his loyal and devoted service as surgeon to the Grenadier Guards in 1794 and as Surgeon to the Savoy in 1809. Thomas was also a lifelong friend of the King. The Becket family retained possession of the clock until its sale in the 1980’s, through the dealers Bobinet, to the renowned watchmaker George Daniels.

It was subsequently purchased by John Taylor at the George Daniels Horological Collection sale at Sothebys in 2012.

Case

The Phase II case, ebony veneered on an oak carcass, surmounted by a silver foliate tied handle with leaf base plates above the cushion moulded top with fine quality silver mounts to the front and sides and flanked by four silver urn finials. The front door with cast silver cherub and scroll escutcheons. The top rail of the door inset with a pierced ebony sound fret with pierced ebony sound frets above the side apertures.

Dial

The 6 ¾ inch square dial with four latched dial feet, covered in black silk velvet and applied with a solid silver chapter ring engraved with Roman hour numerals and trident half hour markers. The centre with pierced silver roundel, engraved with foliage and signed Joseph Knibb Londini Fecit. The winding holes with silver beaded collars. Finely chased silver winged cherub spandrels to the four corners. The silver hands well sculpted with a blued steel tip to the minute hand for contrast against the silver chapter ring.

Movement

The twin fusee eight day movement with five latched baluster pillars and tic tac escapement with bob pendulum. The Roman hours sounded on two bells via a numbered count wheel mounted on the backplate. The back plate with engraved wheatear border and foliate sprays signed Joseph Knibb Londini Fecit Invent et fecit Anno Domini 1677.

Height 12 ¼ ins (31 cm)