Items Similar to Chinoiserie Grandfather Clock, England, London, Mid-18th Century, Longcase Clock
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16
Chinoiserie Grandfather Clock, England, London, Mid-18th Century, Longcase Clock
$6,177.11
£4,591.36
€5,200
CA$8,574.17
A$9,618.59
CHF 4,973.10
MX$116,005.55
NOK 63,268.23
SEK 59,256.71
DKK 39,585.74
About the Item
Chinoiserie grandfather clock
England (London)
painted oak
mid-18th century
Dimensions: H × W × D: 236 × 48 × 24 cm
Description:
Antique English longcase clock with fine lacquer decoration.
On a dark green ground, rich golden chinoiserie scenes unfold: splendid temple complexes, figures, exotic birds, flowers and trees.
The main emphasis lies on the front view of the case with its arched door, stepped base, and hood. Supported by four columns and crowned with a pagoda-like top and ball finial, it corresponds to the typical design of London clocks from the mid-18th century. The sides, by contrast, are more modestly decorated with delicate floral motifs.
Characteristic of the time and region is also the arched dial form, which around the beginning of the 18th century replaced the previously common square dial. In this example, the arch houses the strike/silent control, surrounded by fire-gilt appliqués with C-scrolls and shell motifs. Similar ornaments appear in the spandrels of the silvered chapter ring.
Blacked hands and black Roman hours with Arabic minutes on a silver ground ensure good legibility.
Within the dial ring, on a matted and gilt ground, are the subsidiary seconds, the date aperture and the signature of the clockmaker: James Scholefield – London.
The clockmaking family Scholefield is documented over several generations in different horological directories. James Scholefield operated his workshop in London from 1747 to 1760. The present longcase clock is equipped with a weight-driven movement, striking the hours on a bell, with a running time of one week when fully wound.
Background:
In 17th-century England, black lacquer with gilt decoration became fashionable and was also very popular for clock cases. Originally, these were true Asian lacquer works, but as the resins used in China and Japan were not available in Europe, and importing authentic Asian lacquerwork was costly and risky, European craftsmen soon developed their own methods. In 1688, John Stalker and George Parker published A Treatise in Japanning and Varnishing, which provided detailed instructions for European lacquer techniques. Numerous other manuals soon followed, offering recipes for lacquers and methods of gilding and polishing.
Japanning involved applying multiple coats of lacquer or oil paint, allowing them to dry, carefully sanding them, and creating raised scenes in gesso, which were then finished with further coats of lacquer and decoration in gold or brass powder. From the 1730s onwards, reliefs were abandoned and instead smooth dark oil-painted surfaces were created, decorated with gold paint or leaf and overvarnished.
Such lacquered clock cases reflected the contemporary taste for exoticism and combined European horology with a Far Eastern-inspired surface aesthetic.
Condition:
Restored, fully functional and authentic condition. The movement has been dismantled, cleaned and overhauled. The case has been cleaned, and the lacquer stabilised and retouched.
The clockmaker James Scholefield is listed in the following reference:
Brian Loomes - Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World p. 692
A longcase clock with very similar decoration and case design is illustrated in the following book:
Derek Roberts - Die englische Standuhr fig. 237
For more information on lacquer decoration or chinoiserie, see the following literature:
John Robey - The Longcase Clock Reference Book Vol. 2 from p. 732
Heuer / Maurice - Europäische Pendeluhren p. 197
Derek Roberts - Die englische Standuhr from p. 111
- Creator:James Scholefield (Clockmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 92.92 in (236 cm)Width: 18.9 in (48 cm)Depth: 9.45 in (24 cm)
- Style:Chinoiserie (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1750
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Restored, fully functional and authentic condition. The movement has been dismantled, cleaned and overhauled. The case has been cleaned, and the lacquer stabilised and retouched.
- Seller Location:Greven, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5419246347962
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2014
1stDibs seller since 2020
193 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Münster, Germany
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All18th Century English Grandfather Clock by James Pike
Located in Greven, DE
Antique George III grandfather clock from Newton Abbot
England (Newton Abbot)
Mahogany
circa 1790
Dimensions: H x W x D: 207 x 50 x 27 ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century British Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century English Longcase Clock with Moonphases, Manchester, circa 1780
Located in Greven, DE
Late 18th Century English Grandfather Clock with Moonphases
England (Manchester)
Mahogany
second half of 18th century
Dimensio...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Grandfather Clock, Calendar and Moonphases, Amsterdam 1760-70
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Amsterdam grandfather clock with alarm, calendar and moon phase
Amsterdam
Walnut root and others
circa 1760
Dimensions:
H x W x D...
Category
Antique 1760s Dutch Louis XV Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Walnut
Mid 19th Century English Grandfather Clock with Painted Round Dial
Located in Greven, DE
Antique English grandfather clock with painted dial in mahogany case
The case stands on small round feet and has a wide lower section, above which is a narrower section with a door ...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 19th Century Swedish Mora Longcase Clock With Date Display, Circa 1850
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Mora grandfather clock made from solid birch
Sweden
Birch tree
Mid 19th century
Dimensions: H × W × D: 208 × 54 × 19 cm
Description:
Antique grandfather clock in typical S...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Birch
Scottish Longcase Clock made by William Spark, Aberdeen, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
George III grandfather clock with silver-plated dial
Scotland (Aberdeen)
Mahogany
George III around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 222 x 47 x 23 cm
Description:
Beautiful antique Scottish grandfather...
Category
Antique 1820s Scottish George III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Mahogany
You May Also Like
ELEGANT 18th CENTURY LONDON LONGCASE CLOCK
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A George III period fiddle back mahogany longcase clock. The eight day movement with a full brass dial signed Ed Mann, London
Fully cleaned with 2 years warranty
Circa 1775
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Grandfather Clocks and Long...
Materials
Brass
Wonderful English 18th-19th Century Red Chinoiserie Grandfather Clock
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
English late 18th-early 19th century red chinoiserie grandfathers clock. Brass dial inscribed Jan Chater. Working condition. Beautiful detail and paint. Wonderful condition.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Grandfather Clocks and Lon...
Materials
Metal
Longcase Clock, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
An 18th Century Longcase Clock
The case with broken-arch top and stepped caddy, cresting above foliate frets and simulated tortoiseshell h...
Category
Antique 18th Century Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
$38,423
18th Century Dutch 'Utrecht' Longcase or Grandfather Clock by W.V. Dadelbeek
By W.V. Dadelbeek
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A walnut, burr-walnut and inlaid Dutch longcase clock by W.V Dadelbeek, Utrecht. The case of typical form, trunk door with feather banding, bombe ...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Louis XV Grandfather Clocks and Longcase ...
Materials
Walnut
18th Century German Grandfather Clock
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 18th century walnut wood framed German 8-Day Grandfather clock. The tall case clock featured a dark walnut case with flared base, hood with half-columns and turned finials. Iron ...
Category
Antique 1750s German Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Mahogany longcase clock, by 'Chater and Son' London
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 18th century London longcase clock by 'Chater and Sons, London'. Having a swan neck pediment, three brass flame finials...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Grandfather Clocks and Lon...
Materials
Brass
