Duggleby Auctioneers presents a remarkable piece by Charles Clay of The Strand & St James, London. This early 18th-century 8-day walnut longcase clock from around 1720 features exquisite craftsmanship. The clock boasts a flat caddy top, blind frets, glazed panels, a break arch hood door with reeded pilasters, a long trunk, and a trunk door with beading. It stands on a short plinth with attached skirting, adding to its elegance.
The brass dial of this clock is a true work of art, with cast spandrels, herringbone engraving, and a silvered boss proudly inscribed with "Charles Clay Inventor of the Machine Watches, London." The dial includes a silvered chapter with Roman numerals, five-minute Arabics, minute and quarter-hour tracks, a matted center with a seconds dial and date aperture, and original steel fretted hands. The dial is connected to a turned baluster five-pillar movement with rack striking, which chimes the hours on a bell.
Charles Clay, a renowned London maker originally from Yorkshire, was well-known for crafting musical organ clocks. In 1716, he applied for a patent for a repeating musical watch mechanism that he claimed to have invented. Despite opposition from the London clock makers company in 1717, Clay persisted in claiming the invention, as seen on several of his clocks, including this masterpiece. His musical organ clocks can be found in prestigious collections and museums, showcasing his exceptional talent. Charles Clay passed away in 1740, leaving behind a legacy of fine craftsmanship and innovation.