Joseph Knibb: a month-going formerly ebonised small longcase clock, London, circa 1680, movement and case associated

10-inch latched dial signed Joseph Knibb Londini Fecit along the lower edge within a line border, crisply chased cherub spandrels, skeletonised chapter ring with every minute numbered on a finely matted ground, calendar aperture, seconds dial, well pierced hands, the movement with five latched ring-turned and knopped pillars, five wheel trains, the backplate cut for the anchor, outside count wheel and bell striking, fine regulation above the back cock, the associated case with flat top moulded cornice, frieze fret and spiral pilasters to the formerly rising hood, panelled trunk door inset with a lenticle, replaced plain plinth; the whole now painted with a grained finish 

 

Joseph Knibb, the most famous and inventive member of the celebrated Knibb clockmaking family was born circa 1640; he was apprenticed to his cousin Samuel in about 1655 and after serving seven years worked first at Oxford and then moved to London in 1670 where he was made Free of the Clockmakers’ Company. He must soon have built up a good reputation for himself as it is recorded that he supplied a turret clock for Windsor Castle in 1677 and payments were made to him in 1682 on behalf of King Charles II.

Towards the end of the 17^th century Joseph Knibb moved to Hanslop in Buckinghamshire. A few clocks with the Hanslop address are known but by the early years of the 18^th century Knibb had virtually retired; he died in December 1711.