BRACKET CLOCK David Lestourgeon London Circa 1705 England
M&R32
EXCEPTIONAL QUEEN ANNE BASKET TOP BRACKET CLOCK
Signed: David Lestourgeon London
Circa 1705
England
Movement
The eight-day spring-driven twin fusee brass plated movement consists of going and striking trains. The going train has verge escapement with a short pendulum and knife-edge suspension. The rack striking indicates the hour fully on a bell. In addition the clock has pull quarter repeat on three bells, which after having indicated the quarter hours sets off the hour striking train, indicating the hours. The backplate is richly engraved in Huguenot style depicting scroll motifs around a satyr head and a vase.
Dial
The rectangular brass dial has a silvered chapter ring with Roman hour, half hour, quarter hour, 7.5 minute, Arabic five-minute and minute divisions. The time is indicated by a fine pair of delicately pierced hands. Above the middle is a false pendulum aperture around which are engraved motifs, similar to the ones around the two symmetrically positioned winding holes. Above the VI is a date aperture within an engraved frame. At the very top of the dial above the XII is a Strike/Non-Strike handle. There are gilt cast brass winged cherub-head spandrels in the corners. The dial is signed by the maker above the chapter ring David Lestourgeon London.
Case
The ebonised pearwood-veneered oak case rests of four fire-gilt bun feet. Both sides have glazed panels, through which the movement is visible. The front door, which can be opened with a key, has large pierced gilt brass escutcheons. The beautifully engraved backplate can be seen through the window in the backdoor. The case is surmounted by a lovely and delicately made basket with a carrying handle, whilst the corners are embellished by four elegantly cast and gilt brass finials.
Duration 1 week.
Height 41.5 cm.
Width 25.5 cm.
Depth 16.5 cm.
Provenance
This clock was formerly part of the best-known and largest Dutch private collection, the Vehmeijer collection.
Literature
H.M. Vehmeijer, Antieke Uurwerken, een familieverzameling, pp. 650 and 981.
Brian Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, London, 2006, p. 480.
Tardy, Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, Paris, 1971, p. 411.
The maker
David Lestourgeon was active as a clockmaker in London from 1685 and was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company from 1698-1731. He was famous for his fine clocks. His son David (III) was apprenticed to him for the regulatory seven years and also became a member of the CC from 1721-1751.