A diminutive-sized tall clock decorated in arabesque marquetry with brass dial signed John Austin of Shoreditch. DDD-35.

This decorative clock pays homage to the colonial form from the early 1700s. Its design includes several sophisticated features found in cases made 175 years earlier.

John Austin is listed in Brian Loomes' Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700. Austin was a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1712 through 1725. A long case, lantern, and bracket clock signed by him are known. Shoreditch is located in East London in the Borough of Hackney. At the time Austin was working, the area was well known for its textile production. French Huguenot silk weavers settled the area. Furniture making soon followed.

This fine case, standing approximately 66 inches tall and 13 inches wide, is a striking example of excellent proportions. Constructed in oak and veneered in richly figured walnut, this clock is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, made in the last half of the 20th century.

The case is constructed in oak, decoratively veneered in walnut, and features highly complex arabesque marquetry inlays. This dramatic and complex inlay pattern was all the rage in London from 1700 through about 1725 in long case design. Separate pieces of colored wooden veneer are laid out in a decorative, symmetrical pattern. This outstanding example features long, vine-like, intersecting patterns laid out on the case's forward-facing surfaces, including the upper waist molding and caddy-shaped surfaces. This is a wonderful exhibition of woodworking skills.

This fine example is standing on four pad feet mounted beneath the double-stepped molding. The base is cross-banded with walnut veneer. Positioned inside this cross-banding is a band of complex inlay. The four corners of which are inlaid with an arabesque pattern. The center of the panel features an inlaid medallion in the arabesque style. A serpentine-shaped waist molding transitions the base into the waist section. This waist is very narrow. The waist door is quite large and fills the waist section. It is trimmed with applied rounded molding and features three panels of arabesque marquetry inlay. The door frame is decorated with a similar inlay pattern to that used on the base. The sides of this case are decoratively finished. They are horizontally veneered in walnut and feature line-inlaid panes. This was the tradition of many London cabinetmakers. A convex inlaid molding supports the hood. The square dial door is decorated with arabesque inlay. The interior of the frame is trimmed with a molded edge. The cornice molding is substantial. Above this is a caddy top, also decorated with inlay.

The nine-inch-square brass dial features decorative details, both engraved and applied. Applied decorations in the form of cherub spandrels and a large time ring are featured on this dial. The cast spandrels are nicely detailed. The time ring is formatted with an interior minute ring. The Roman-style hour numerals are divided by arrowhead half-hour markers. The outer minute ring is segmented, with Arabic five-minute markers. The time ring is finished in silver. The center of the dial is textured or matted. The winding holes are decorated with ring turnings. This dial is signed at the bottom by the Maker, along with his working location.

This weight-driven movement is constructed of brass. Five knob-and-finned posts support the two large rectangular brass plates. Steel shafts support the brass gearing. Both winding barrels are grooved. This movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The escapement is a recoil design and features a seconds-length pendulum. The strike train is governed by a rack striking system that strikes each hour on a large cast iron bell mounted on a stand above the movement. As for the construction of the works, this movement is of excellent quality. The fact that it survives today in excellent working order is proof of this.

This clock was made circa 1900. It stands approximately 66 inches tall to the top of the center finial. Measuring at the upper hood molding, the largest part of the case, this clock is approximately 13 inches wide and 8 inches deep.

Inventory number DDD-135.