Millington Adams

Artist / Maker / Factory

CHARLES GRETTON, LONDON (1648-1731)

Medium / Material

Ebony

Dimensions

9.50inch wide   13.00inch high   6.25inch deep (24.13 cm wide  33.02 cm high  15.87 cm deep)

Description

A superb James II brass mounted, quarter repeating ebony basket top bracket clock by Charles Gretton, London. The pierced repousse basket surmounted by a handle of twin addorsed dolphins over swags of fruit and flowers within a rope twist border, with adjacent vase style finials, over a simple moulded cornice, rectangular glazed side panels and a matching lower moulding, raised on brass bun feet.The six pillar movement, finned and knopped, all latched to the front plate, with a single fusee movement with pull repeat striking two bells on the hour and the quarter hour. The 6.75 inch square brass dial with winged cherubs head spandrels enclosing a silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with trident half hour marks and star shaped half quarter marks, with a finely matted centre and blued steel hands. The backplate with a single line border enclosing a pattern of flowers surrounding the copperplate signature signed “Charles Gretton in Fleete Streete” in a reserve of foliate scrolls A very fine clock by an eminent maker.

Provenance

Private collection London.

Literature

English, James II, circa 1685. “Charles Gretton” is listed by Baillie’s Clockmakers of the world as a very fine maker, free of the clockmakers company in 1672 and master from 1700 – 1733.

Current Condition

Excellent. The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced, with restored verge escapement, minor restorations to the case, waxing.

Status

Sold