Markwick, London.

SOLD

A William III quarter repeating table clock by Markwick, London. The seven inch square brass dial has a strike/silent lever above the XII, cherubs head spandrels, silvered chapter ring signed Markwick London. The matted centre has a false pendulum aperture, decorated date aperture and ringed winding holes. The eight day double fusee six pillar movement has a verge escapement, strikes the hours on a bell and pull quarter repeating on six further bells. The finely engraved backplate has a standing figure amid foliate scrolls.

The ebonised bell top case with double scroll handle, glazed side panels and pierced foliate mounts to the front door

Height 14 ins (35cm)

Date c1700

James Markwick senior was apprenticed to Edward Gilpin in June 1656 and freed in 1666. In September 1677 he was fined by the Clockmakers Company for abuse of Master at the Stewards Feast at which he was a Steward. In 1673 he succeeded ' Mr Samuel Betts deceased at Back of Royal Exchange'. In May 1686 he refused to pay a fine for the absence from the Clockmakers Company court and left 'in a abrupt and angry manner'. He became Assistant in 1682 but from 1691 attended very irregularly, was repeatedly cautioned and after 1700 he ceased to attend at all, worked up until 1706.

James Markwick junior was made free by patrimony ( that is by virtue of his father's existing freedom) in April 1692. He was made Assistant in 1716, Warden in 1717 and Master in 1720.

The Victoria and Albert Museum have a fine silver and tortoiseshell pocket watch in their collection.