William and Mary Walnut Tall Case Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Late 17th Century
Attributed by the auction house to William Cottrill of London, this late 17th-century William and Mary tall case clock stands 81 1/2 inches high in a walnut-veneered case.
The hood features barley-twist columns framing a 10-inch dial with corner spandrels and Roman numerals, while the long trunk door incorporates a circular pendulum viewing aperture. Freeman's condition report describes the clock in fair and stable condition, noting scattered age splits across the veneer and an imperfectly engaging lock. The hood lacks a front door and must be removed entirely for winding. The movement strikes when manually advanced and both chambers accept a wind.
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
- Type
- Longcase clock
- Maker
- William Cottrill, London
- Dimensions
- Height 81 1/2 x width 18 x depth 9 3/4 inches
- Provenance
- Saxton House Gallery, Gloucestershire, May 10th, 1993
- Dial Diameter
- 10 inches
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- William Cottrill
Design
- Visible features
- • Barley-twist wooden columns flank the square dial window on the hood • Trunk door features figured burl walnut veneer and a circular pendulum lenticle • Square brass dial features spandrels in the four corners and Roman numeral hour indices
- Dial and Movement
- The clock is fitted with a 10-inch brass dial featuring corner spandrels and traditional Roman numeral hour indices. While the maker is attributed to William Cottrill of London, the internal mechanism has not been examined by a professional horologist. Functional testing by the auction house indicates that the movement accepts a wind in both chambers and strikes on the hour when the hands are manually advanced.
- Condition and Limitations
- The object is reported by the auction house to be in fair and stable condition, though it exhibits age-related wear including scattered veneer splits. Mechanical function is affected by a non-engaging lock, which causes the trunk door to drift open. The item is sold in 'as is' condition, and the provided condition notes do not constitute a full accounting of condition.
- Case Construction and Form
- This William and Mary style tall case clock is constructed with a walnut-veneered exterior, measuring 81 1/2 inches in height. The design features a trunk door adorned with figured burl walnut veneer and a circular pendulum lenticle for viewing the movement's oscillation. The hood is defined by barley-twist wooden columns flanking the dial. The hood lacks a front door, requiring the entire upper section to be removed to access the movement for winding.
Identification
- 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: The movement has not been examined by a professional horologist
- Research required: Source notes scattered age splits in the veneer and a lock that does not properly engage
- Research required: The hood lacks a front door and must be removed completely to wind the movement