John Knibb, Oxford, Circa 1675-80 An important two handed full quarter striking lantern clock

John Knibb, Oxford
Circa 1675-80
An important and rare Charles II brass two-handed three-train full quarter striking lantern clock
Height
17¼ inches (440 mm)
Case
The case of standard lantern construction; circular section columns, ball feet and distinctive urn finials holding the top and bottom plates, with detachable slot-hinged side doors. The original floral gallery frets above, the front highlight engraved, the matching side frets left plain. The fancy bell-strap pinned to each pillar urn and the large bell held by a conforming urn top finial, the top plate with remnants of two separate riveted iron suspension eyes, and vacant holes in the rear ball feet for iron spurs. Now hung on a later walnut bracket.
Dial
The brass dial plate beautifully engraved with tulips and scrolling foliage, signed in a reserve below XII, Johannes Knibb Oxon, and enclosed by a 7 inch (178 mm) typical-Knibb brass Roman chapter ring, with fleur-de-lys half-hour marks and Arabic minutes every five within the individually dot-marked division ring, with finely pierced and shaped blued steel, Oxford-pattern, Knibb hands.
Duration
30 hour
Movement
The movement, held by four vertical internal plates, the front and back of cruciform shape; the front going train driving the hour and minute hands, with an early conversion to anchor escapement, the pallets pivoted on a Knibb-style butterfly shaped backcock, with suspension for the long pendulum; the middle quarter train uses a countwheel and double sided pinwheel to ting-tang quarter strike on the two smaller bells mounted to the top-plate; the rear hour train governed by a countwheel mounted on the rear plate and striking on the large bell above; all three trains are chain driven.
Escapement
Early conversion to anchor with long pendulum
Strike Type
Countwheel full quarter strike (including 4 ting-tangs with the hour)
Provenance
The Justice Shepro Collection, USA, until sold;
Sotheby’s New York, 26th April 2001, lot 65, sold for $92,750;
The John C Taylor Collection inventory no.65
Exhibited
2003, BADA Fair Chelsea, loan exhibition;
2003, Oxford & Liverpool, Horological Masterworks, exhibit no.37;
2018, London, Innovation & Collaboration, exhibit no.83
Literature
George White, English Lantern Clocks, 1989, (illus.) p.260;
Horological Masterworks, 2003, (illus.) p.170-1;
Garnier & Hollis, Innovation & Collaboration, 2018, (illus.) p.291
Complex lantern clocks by the best makers are rare and this Oxford clock by John Knibb was most likely a special commission. It is a superb example of this traditional form of wall clock, but with the rare addition of a third train giving full ting-tang quarter striking on two bells, including four quarters preceding each hour. It is presented in the Knibb family’s own inimitable style, including their pattern of larger-size frame with the top-plate retaining evidence of their preference for individual suspension eyes, rather than a hoop; a typical Knibb chapter ring with additional dot-marked minutes; beautifully executed ‘Oxford-pattern’ hands; and the dial plate has archetypal tulip engraving to the centre below the signature reserve.
John Knibb, Oxford (1650-1722)
John was the sixth son of Thomas Knibb, yeoman of Claydon and Elizabeth (nee Wise) his wife, born 21st January 1650. In about 1664, he joined and trained with his elder brother, Joseph, as apprentice or assistant, and lived with him first in St. Clement’s and later in Holywell Street, Oxford.
In 1671 his brother Joseph Knibb was admitted to London’s Clockmakers’ Company as a brother. He may frequently have returned to Oxford but the main responsibility for the business must have rested with young John, by then aged 20. It was not until 13th September 1672 that John applied for the city freedom and although he technically he had none of the required qualifications, the Council agreed to admit him on the 27th September on payment of a £30 fine. John considered this excessive and on 22nd March 1673 the Council ...at the earnest request of B. Whorwood, Esq., and out of respect for him... reduced the fee from £30 to 20 marks and he was freed on 11th April following.
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