Newest addition..English long case clock from early 18th century??

[Lawrence Zell]

I recently acquired this long case clock, which I believe it to be English and from the early part of the 18th century. The name on the face is William Atkinson. I'm looking for any information on the maker that folks might have, as well as thoughts on the approximate age of the clock. Is it from the early 18th century? Was this a well known maker and from what part of England? I included some pictures. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[novicetimekeeper]

According to Loomes he hails from Sheffield, born 1677. Clocks known from 1700-1740.

That all fits with your pics, as a Northern clock it doesn't follow the usual fashion timeline, I think this might be nearer 1730 than 1700, but to find out you would need to see more examples to find out what styles he did follow.

It is an excellent find, congratulations

 

[Lawrence Zell]

Thanks for the information novicetimekeeper! Just curious, when you say it doesn't follow the usual fashion timeline..what do you mean? Are there certain features that don't follow typical clocks from that region of time period? Thanks..just trying to learn.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Northern clocks did not follow the fashion time line of London clocks, that was followed also by those counties closer to London. As a result you get regional variations.

Your clock shows some early features, the knopped and finned pillars, twin cherub spandrels, internal countwheel strike, ringed winding holes, style of half hour markers, provision of 1/8 hour markers, decoration of date aperture, and on the case the barley twist door pillars.

Then you get the size of the arabic numerals on the chapter ring, which in a London or Southern clock would never be seen with those other features.

In a Southern clock knopped and finned pillars would not usually be found much after 1720, in Northern clocks I have seen them 1740 clocks.

All it means is that features that you usually use to date a clock cannot be followed so closely when dating Northern clocks where they held on to features considered old fashioned further south.

Clocks were made to order, so it may be the customers were more conservative.

 

[jmclaugh]

Hi Lawrence, you have a lovely early 18th C provincial longcase and lucky you to get it. One thing about provincial clockmakers is many didn't follow typical styles and fashions and apart from the larger minute numbering the dial has the features you expect to see on an 8 day provincial longcase from when they first appeared at the very end of the 17th C complete with a case with a lenticle glass. That makes dating them and this one less certain than say a London clock. Without seeing more of his work to get an idea of how and if it changed with such styles and fashions I'd suggest this clock dates to the early part of the period he was working.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Just found a musical one being sold by a dealer I know. It has later half hour markers, rack striking, no fins. Same spandrels and no ringed winding holes.

He will have spent a lot of time researching his clock and he has completely restored movement and case so he has had a chance to get to know it. He says 1710. That would suggest Jonathan is right to suggest earlier.

I'm still not entirely convinced, but it isn't a science, it involves looking at a lot of clocks by the same maker to get a timeline and I've only just heard of the chap. I did look at the collets though, I think the collets and the arabic numeral size still suggest a later clock, but whenever it was actually made you have a fine clock in what looks like its own case. A great addition to a collection.

 

[P.Hageman]

Thats a very nice early and original longcase clock you have bought!! I really like it and thats what a longcase should look look in my humble opinion. I would date this clock not later then 1710, so its a real early one. The case must be very heavy I think, made from thick cut oak. The case is almost identical to my George Booth Manchester clock! Congratulations!!

 

[Lawrence Zell]

Thats a very nice early and original longcase clock you have bought!! I really like it and thats what a longcase should look look in my humble opinion. I would date this clock not later then 1710, so its a real early one. The case must be very heavy I think, made from thick cut oak. The case is almost identical to my George Booth Manchester clock! Congratulations!!

Thank you and thanks to everyone for the information! This is my first English longcase clock. I love the look of it and it’s age. I’m certainly anxious to learn as much about it as I can.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Here is a much later Atkinson, completed sale so can provide link.

A brass faced Grandfather clock by William Atkinson, Sheffield

Not allowed to link to the musical one as it is a current sale but you can google.

 

[DeanT]

Nice first longcase. Dare I say, a great clock to start your collection.....

 

[P.Hageman]

Nice first longcase. Dare I say, a great clock to start your collection.....

Indeed!!