NATHANIEL HODGES, IN WINE OFFICE COURT IN FLEETE STREET LONDON. A RARE JAMES I EBONY VENEERED AND MARQUETRY INLAID BASKET TOP BRACKET CLOCK surmounted by a gilt brass foliate pierced basket with hinged handle above a square ebony veneered case with floral marquetry inlay to the top and all sides raised on gilt brass squat bun feet. The 6 3/4" gilt brass dial with winged cherub head spandrels and silvered skeletonised chapter ring surrounding a matted centre with calendar aperture below XII, Strike/Not strike lever above fronting a twin fusee movement with five finned knopped pillars and verge escapement striking the hours on a bell and pull repeating the quarters on a nest of four bells; fine tulip-engraved and signed backplate with pierced and engraved apron.

32.5cm high

Nathaniel Hodges a great clockmaker was made free of the Clockmakers Company in December 1681. In 1687 he was in arrears with his quarterage and he was not heard of within the Company thereafter. Dawson, Drover and Parkes in Early English Clocks, Antiques Collectors Club, 1982, show two clocks by him dated to circa 1690-95 (plates 675- 678); both are in elaborate repousse-brass mounted cases and indeed one still retains the original carrying case. Very few walnut clocks survive from this period and the current clock is of particularly good colour.