Fine George III Longcase Clock by James Howden of Edinburgh, circa 1775

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Fine George III Longcase Clock by James Howden of Edinburgh, circa 1775

About the Item

A fine example of an 18th century Edinburgh mahogany longcase clock by James Howden. An important Edinburgh clock making dynasty, the Howden family are recorded over three generations and this clock dates from circa 1775. James Howden, who made this clock, served his apprenticeship under the master Scottish clockmakers Alexander Farquharson and James Cowan from 1764-1771. James was released from his apprenticeship and made a member of the Clockmakers Company in 1774. He died in January 1810. There was no better known business of high repute in Edinburgh at this time than Howdens and at the time of James retirement in 1808 the following notice appeared: James Howden, three Hunter Square, Edinburgh, in returning his warmest thanks to the numerous class of friends and customers who have so steadily patronised him in business for a long series of years, begs leave to intimate to them and the public that he retired from business in December last, and that the shop occupied by him since that time has been possessed by his sons James and William Howden, the former as watchmaker, the latter as jeweller and silversmith. They have been bred to their several professions under the first masters in London, and being fully confident of their strictest attention and assiduity he presumes to solicit on their behalf a continuation of that patronage with which he has so liberally been favoured. Edinburgh Evening Courant, 22nd April 1809 (Old Scottish Clockmakers, see below). Keeping excellent time and with an attractive soft chime on the hour, with working date aperture. The clock is in superb original and fully working condition and has been checked and carefully serviced. The mechanism is fully guaranteed for two years by Mr Malcolm Styles (renowned clock maker and restorer in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England). The 8-Day movement has rack striking of the hours on a bell and its original anchor escapement with steel pendulum rod and brass faced bob, and with original weights. The arched brass dial with silvered chapter ring and seconds ring, the roman numerals still filled with their original black wax. With brass etched engraved centre with foliate Rococo spandrels of flowers, vines and leaves to the corners and well pierced hour, minute and second original steel hands. The aperture for the date is above the VI and to the arch is a finely signed brass plaque with hand engraved border, flanked by further Fine fettled brass spandrels of open flowers, leaves and vines. The elegant case has an arched pediment with ball & spire brass finials which are later replacements. The hood door and hood columns all finely strung with satinwood and ebony, the stringing repeated to the long trunk door and flanking columns which terminate in beautiful pale satinwood panels each finely strung in satinwood and ebony. The case is veneered in figured and flamed mahogany of very good colour and patina with some minor natural shrinkage cracks to the crotch of mahogany on the base panel - very old and not significant or going anywhere. A lovely long case clock made by a superb craftsman. James Howden would have made the entire mechanism by hand himself, designing and casting each brass element and sitting for hours by candlelight with tiny files to finish each cog and wheel and fettle each spandrel. The case is original to the clock - cases were made by cabinet makers who were employed by the clock maker and each case was made bespoke and tailored to the clock mechanism. The elegant case has an arched pediment with a central ball & spire brass finials which are later replacements. The hood door and hood columns all finely strung with satinwood and ebony, the stringing repeated to the long trunk door and flanking columns which terminate in beautiful pale satinwood panels each finely strung in satinwood and ebony. The case is veneered in figured and flamed mahogany of very good colour and patina. An exceptional long case clock of exemplary craftsmanship. James Howden would have made the entire mechanism by hand himself, designing and casting each brass element and sitting for hours by candlelight with tiny files, to finish each cog and wheel and fettle each spandrel. The case is original to the clock, the cases were made by cabinet makers who were employed by the clock maker and each case was made bespoke to suit the clock mechanism. The long slow tick and soft chimes to each hour transport you to 1775, and straight into James Howdens workshop in Hunter Square. The clock is 89.5 inches high including the finials. From: Old Scottish Clockmakers from 1453-1850 by John Smith, complied from old sources with notes and published in 1921 by Oliver and Boyd, Tweeddale Court, 33 Paternoster Row, London. Many more details about James Howden and his clocks are included in this illustrated book.

Creator:
James Howden (Clockmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 89.5 in (227.33 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)
Style:
George III (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Ebony,Mahogany,Satinwood,Inlay
Period:
1770-1779
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1775
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
Seller Location:
East Sussex, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU274037610743