William Cattell Marquetry Longcase Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1675-1685
Dating to circa 1675–1685 in London, this longcase clock is attributed to William Cattell. The case is veneered with bird and flower marquetry in walnut and olivewood 'oysters', complemented by ebonised mouldings, spiral barley-twist hood pillars, and an openwork carved cresting.
An oval glass lenticle is set into the trunk door. The 10-inch brass dial features a matted centre, date aperture, central alarm disc, applied silvered chapter ring, cherub corner spandrels, and pierced steel hands. The source reports an eight-day movement with an anchor escapement, internal count wheel striking, and alarm-work, signed 'Wm Cattell in Fleete Streete' beneath the chapter ring.
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
- Dial Size
- 10 inch brass dial
- Escapement
- Anchor escapement
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker Signature
- Wm Cattell in Fleete Streete
- Movement Duration
- Eight day duration
- Maker / attribution
- William Cattell
Design
- Visible features
- • Carved openwork cresting featuring scrolls and a central mask surmounts the hood. • Barley-twist wooden pillars frame the square glazed hood door. • The trunk door features multiple floral marquetry panels interspersed with an oval glass pendulum lenticle. • The plinth base is decorated with a matching floral marquetry panel and rests on small feet.
- Dial and Signature
- The 10-inch brass dial features a matted centre, a date aperture, and a central alarm disc. It includes an applied silvered chapter-ring and cherub spandrels in the corners, with pierced steel hour and minute hands. The dial is signed 'Wm Cattell in Fleete Streete' at the base, located underneath the chapter ring.
- Movement and Technical Details
- The clock contains an eight-day movement with an anchor escapement. It features alarm-work and count wheel striking, with the count wheel positioned on the inside of the movement. These technical details are provided as museum documentation for the object.
- Case Construction and Marquetry
- The longcase clock features an exterior veneered with bird and flower marquetry, executed in walnut and olivewood 'oysters'. The case incorporates ebonised mouldings and pillars. The trunk door includes a glass lenticle. Further decorative elements and structural details are noted in the source documentation.
Identification
- Museum Inventory Number
- Clockmakers' Museum No. 1311
- 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: Internal movement, weight-driven components, and signature beneath the chapter ring are not visible in this full-length exterior photograph.
- Research required: Technical movement characteristics are reported by the museum and cannot be independently confirmed from the closed case image.