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John Darke, Automaton
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Item Number 002020
SORRY SOLD
88½"(2248mm) High x 20½"(572mm) Wide x 10"(254mm) Deap
John Darke Barnstable, Mahogany Automaton Longcase Clock (Circa 1780/90)
An excellent quality Longcase clock manufactured from solid mahogany, by John Darke of Barnstable (Circa 1780/90 see below) with fine cut moldings and blind fretwork to the arched top hood above the break arch dial.
This eight-day movement all of which is original to the case has a finely painted 12"(305mm) enamel dial with Roman numerals to the chapter ring and Arabic outer, hand painted gold relief corner spandrels with an automaton rocking ship to the centre of the arch, striking the hours on a bell.
In the centre of the dial are two subsidiary, seconds and date dials above and below centre, with ornately cut and fettled blued steel hands and two, brass ringed winding holes, the dial is signed on the lower centre, Jnº. Darke Barnstable (John Dark) see gallery below.
The case consists of turned and grooved columns to each side of the hood with Doric brass capitals top and bottom, the sides and tapered back wings of the hood are manufactured from solid mahogany, below which is a large Scotia mold leading to the trunk.
A grooved canted stopped chamfer is to each front corner of the trunk with a handsome shaped top, flame mahogany trunk door, of which a mirror image of this is also the top of the base panel.
The base and trunk are joined by an ovlo mold, all set on shallow ogee bracket feet.
The above longcase clock has been fully restored and carries a 12-month guarantee.
- 12" Painted enamel Dial
John Darke (Circa 1743-1813) has been found to be working in London, Holdsworthy and also Barnstable where in 1769, he entered into a seven-year agreement to keep the parish church clock, quarter-clock and chimes in repair. "Wanted immediately by John Darke, Clock and Watch-Maker in Barnstable, and constantly employed if approved of, a journeyman clock maker. He must be a man of good character, and capable of clock making in all its branches" (EFP, 13 March 1772). Was a widower when he married Mary Harding at the parish church 14 Aug 1786? Died, aged about 70, in August 1813 and was described in an obituary as "a man who has passed through life with the fairest character"(EFP). Longcase and bracket clocks.
Gallery
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- John Darke, Barnstable, Blind Fretwork (Circa 1780/90)
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- John Darke, Automaton Rocking Ship.
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- John Darke, Name on Dial. (Circa 1780/90)
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- John Darke, Painted Spandrel (Circa 1780/90)
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- John Darke, Full Dial (Circa 1780/90).
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- John Darke, Side of Hood.
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- John Darke, Complete Hood.
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- John Darke, Profile of Scotia Mold.
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- John Darke, Shaped Trunk Door
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- John Darke, Profile of Ovlo Mold.
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- John Darke, Top of Front Base Panel.
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- John Darke Automaton (Circa1780/90).
Click on one of the pictures to view a larger version
Below is an easy access Map of Barnstable Nr Barnstaple, Devon, UK, where John Darke carried out his trade (Circa 1780/90).
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