The Admiral Byng Knibb

Clockmaker: Joseph Knibb, London

Joseph Knibb, London Circa 1670

This fine walnut veneered longcase clock is one of the earliest surviving clocks made by Joseph Knibb in London after taking over his cousin Samuel Knibb’s workshop, following Samuel’s death.

Case

The oak carcass case veneered in Finley figured walnut. The rising hood with frieze supported by matching walnut Solomonic columns with integral turned capitals and bases. The long trunk door framed with half round mouldings an oval lenticle and original gilt key escutcheon. The walnut book matched base rests on bun feet.

Handwritten label inside door reads; ‘This clock was the property of Admiral Byng, which the Hon. James Byng gave me after the decease of his mother Lady Torrington who resided many years at Shipbourne in Kent - when he and Mrs Byng went to reside at Great Culveden, Tunbridge Wells.”

Dial

The square 9½ inch fire-gilded brass dial signed Joseph Knibb London Fecit to the lower margin, winged cherub head spandrels and narrow silvered chapter ring with inner quarter division ring and Roman hours with fleur-de-lys half-hour marks between, the Arabic minutes numbered every 5 within the minute division ring. The finely matted and gilded dial centre with a large slender seconds ring below XII, the facetted calendar aperture above VI and shuttered winding holes, with well pierced and sculpted blued steel hands.

Movement

The eight day movement with six latched pillars, original bolt and shutter maintaining power to the anchor escapement with single foot backcock. Solid external countwheel, the hours struck on a bell deep in shape, typical of Knibb. Brass cased weights and Knibb pendulum, with butterfly regulation retaining original gilding.

Exhibited

2003, Horological Masterworks, Oxford Museum for the History of Science, and the

Walker Gallery, Liverpool, exhibit no.31

2004, Palais Het Loo, Holland, Huygens’ Legacy, exhibit no.60

2018, London, Innovation & Collaboration, exhibit no.92

Provenance

This clock was the property of Admiral Byng.

By descent from the Byng family until it was acquired for the Peter Gwynn Collection

John C Taylor Collection

Height 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)