FS39: Two Day Fine Art Sale

Benjamin Merriman, London, A Late 17th Century Lacquered Longcase Clock

Auction Lot FS39/740

Benjamin Merriman, London, A Late 17th Century Lacquered Longcase Clock (FS39/740) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale starting on 10th July 2018 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

Lot Description

Benjamin Merriman, London, a late 17th century lacquered longcase clock the eight-day duration, five-pillar movement, the middle pillar latched, striking the hours on a bell, with an inside countwheel, decorative steelwork to the hammer spring set to the frontplate and a decorative brass hammer stop, the eleven-inch square brass dial having tulip engraving to the edges between the cast-brass cherub-head spandrels to each corner, a raised silvered chapter ring engraved with black Roman numerals, fleur-de-lys half-hour markings and Arabic five minute outer markings, the matted dial centre having ringed winding holes, subsidiary seconds dial and a date aperture with engraved decoration to the surround, signed below the chapter ring with the maker's name Benjamin Merriman, London, the maroon lacquered case having raised chinoiserie decoration to the trunk door and base, with further gilded decoration, the hood with gilt-wood pillars and cresting to the top, height 198cm (not including cresting). * Biography Benjamin Merriman (sometimes Merryman) was born circa 1662, the son of the yeoman John Merryman of Newbury Benjamin was apprenticed to Edward Maskell becoming a Freeman of the Clockmakers Company in 1686 and raised to the Livery in November 1692. He took various apprentices of his own including Thomas Merryman, presumably a brother, in November 1692 until Thomas was turned over to another clockmaker in 1698. by 1688 Benjamin Merriman had premises located at Belle Savage Yard, Ludgate Hill, whilst Henry Merriman, born circa 1655 and apprenticed 1667, was recorded at Belle Savage Inne, both being in close proximity to the workshops of Fromanteel Benjamin Merriman may well have had a friendship to Edward Banger, partner to the famed Thomas Tompion, as on the 12th of January 1693 he alleged the marriage of Edward's sister Mary Banger to Edward Line. Reference: Evans, Carter, Wright, Tompion 300 Years, Water Lane Publishing 2013 Loomes, the Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, N AG. Press Ltd, 1981 A longcase clock signed by Merriman is on display at the National Trust property, the Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire.

Department

Works of Art & Clocks

Sale Information

FS39: Two Day Fine Art Sale
Tuesday, 10th July 2018
Okehampton Street, Exeter

Important Notes

Weights and measurements are approximate guidelines only, unless otherwise stated to the contrary.

Please note that we are unable to provide a wrapping, packing and despatch service ourselves, but we have negotiated preferential rates with Mailbox Etc.

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