192
RARE CHARLES II EBONY BRACKET CLOCK
Estimate:
$2,000 - $4,000
Sold
$2,100
Live Auction
Summer Estates | July 21, 2024
Category
Description
Face marked Fromanteel, London (1607 - 1693), domed rectangular housing with gilt bronze, left handle and glazed door, gilt metal face with and spandrels with engraved steel chapter rings, with bird and foliate engraving on back plate
h. 13-1/4 w. 8-1/2 d. 6-1/4 in.
JOHANNES (JOHN) FROMANTEEL AND THE FROMANTEEL FAMILY John Fromanteel (1638 -1692) was the son of Ahasuerus Fromanteel (1607 - 1693) and was apprenticed to his father in 1652. Part of his apprenticeship was spent in The Hague working with Salomon Coster (1623 - 1659) on the new pendulum clock, which his father advertised in 'Mercurius Politicus' in 1658. Much debate has been generated by the nature of Fromanteel's relationship with Coster and in particular with regard to the interpretation of the Coster-Fromanteel contract of 1657. In essence this revolves around the degree of John's knowledge of the new technology prior to working with Coster; whether he learned about the new pendulum clock from Coster or arrived in The Hague capable of making one. Wherever the truth lies, what cannot be disputed is that John Fromanteel and his family were at the forefront of the development of a revolutionary new technology that would change the course of horological history and that the Fromanteels introduced the pendulum clock to England. When working with Coster, John Fromanteel made the first pendulum clocks, an extremely rare example of which sold Christie's Amsterdam, The P.C. Spaans Collection of Important Clocks, 19 December 2007, lot 475 (Euro 456,000).
h. 13-1/4 w. 8-1/2 d. 6-1/4 in.
JOHANNES (JOHN) FROMANTEEL AND THE FROMANTEEL FAMILY John Fromanteel (1638 -1692) was the son of Ahasuerus Fromanteel (1607 - 1693) and was apprenticed to his father in 1652. Part of his apprenticeship was spent in The Hague working with Salomon Coster (1623 - 1659) on the new pendulum clock, which his father advertised in 'Mercurius Politicus' in 1658. Much debate has been generated by the nature of Fromanteel's relationship with Coster and in particular with regard to the interpretation of the Coster-Fromanteel contract of 1657. In essence this revolves around the degree of John's knowledge of the new technology prior to working with Coster; whether he learned about the new pendulum clock from Coster or arrived in The Hague capable of making one. Wherever the truth lies, what cannot be disputed is that John Fromanteel and his family were at the forefront of the development of a revolutionary new technology that would change the course of horological history and that the Fromanteels introduced the pendulum clock to England. When working with Coster, John Fromanteel made the first pendulum clocks, an extremely rare example of which sold Christie's Amsterdam, The P.C. Spaans Collection of Important Clocks, 19 December 2007, lot 475 (Euro 456,000).
Condition
With key and pendulum, as pictured in additional photos. Please note we cannot guarantee our timepieces to be in running condition and always recommend a cleaning.
Provenance
Descended through the estates of a New York Lady (Mt. Kisco & NYC)
