James Snelling Longcase Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1735
This antique longcase clock is attributed to the London clockmaker James Snelling, dating to circa 1735. The clock features an eight-day movement with five pillars, striking the hours on a single bell.
The arched brass dial includes a chapter ring, spandrels, a matted center, a subsidiary seconds dial, a calendar in the arch, and a strike/silent mechanism at the three o'clock position. The clock is housed in a walnut-veneered case, characterized by book-matched veneers on the trunk and base, along with molding to the trunk door and two plinths. James Snelling served as Master of the Clockmaker’s Company in 1736 and operated from premises in Poultry, London.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1735
- Type
- Longcase clock
- Maker
- James Snelling
- Features
- Calendar and strike/silent
- Striking
- Strikes on a single bell
- Case material
- Walnut veneer
- Movement type
- 8-day duration
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker's history
- Master of the Clockmaker’s Company in 1736
- Maker / attribution
- James Snelling
- Movement construction
- 5 pillars
Design
- Visible features
- • Arched brass dial with decorative spandrels • Visible strike/silent lever at the three o'clock position • Walnut case with book-matched veneer sections • Two-tiered plinth construction at the base
- Case Construction
- The housing is constructed with walnut veneers, displaying a pattern of book-matched veneers across the trunk and base. The case structure follows standard London design characteristics, incorporating specific moldings to the trunk door and base plinths. The aesthetic presentation relies on the application of the walnut veneer, which covers the exterior surfaces. The physical proportions of the longcase include a base consisting of two plinths, supporting the central trunk and the hooded dial section.
- Dial and Movement
- The clock is powered by an eight-day duration movement featuring five pillars, designed to strike the hours on a single bell. The assembly is fronted by an arched brass dial that incorporates technical features including a subsidiary seconds dial and a matted center. Operational utility is provided by a calendar function located in the arch of the dial and a strike/silent mechanism positioned at the three o'clock location. These functions are integrated into the brass dial plate, reflecting the specific design configuration attributed to James Snelling.
- Attribution and History
- The clock is associated with the London maker James Snelling, who was based in Poultry. Historical records provided indicate that Snelling held the position of Master of the Clockmaker’s Company in 1736, and he is identified as having produced other clocks currently held in museum collections. The dating of the object is established as circa 1735. The provenance is provided by the seller, Pendulum of Mayfair, which includes the attribution of the work to Snelling based on the signature and style of the dial.
Identification
- Reference
- G-JS1
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Attribution to James Snelling relies solely on the provided auction description
- Research required: Condition details are minimal and provided only by the seller