Items for Sale

D219. A fine panelled floral marquetry longcase clock by Michael Bird, London, circa 1685, with 11" dial and external count-wheel strike.

The case of this clock is most attractive, being veneered with well figured walnut of a good warm colour. The hood, originally “lift up” and still retaining the grooves to either side, now slides forward but has not been cut to provide a front opening door. There are frets to the hood beneath the top moulds and these and also those to the very bottom of the hood are ebonised as also are the spiral twist columns which have giltwood capitals.The sides of the hood are glazed. Surrounding the dial is floral marquetry and this also covers the convex mould immediately below the hood.

The sides of the trunk and base are panelled with boxwood stringing and the case rests on replacement bun feet. The edge of the trunk door has a half round ebonised mould and within this herringbone stringing. The marquetry is laid on the door in three panels, the two above the lenticle featuring tulips and foliate work whilst that below includes a bird amongst flowers as does the panel to the base of the clock.

The five pillar movement has external count-wheel strike on a bell and substantial brass pulleys.The 11" square brass dial has the later design of cherub spandrels with floral engraving between them. The chapter ring is marked out for the minutes on its outer edge and has quartering on its inner border together with half hour marks. The winding holes are ringed and the ends of the winding squares are crossed. There is an attractive cartouche around the date aperture and the blued steel hands are particularly well executed. It is signed to the bottom of the chapter ring Mich Bird. London.

This clock has been in Denmark for the last 100 or more years. It has two labels on the
seat-board. The first has the reference number on it 3251; 19/7-03 np? Possibly an auction house record for 19/7/1803 or 19/7/1903/ . The second label headed Uhrmager and Opticus,
(Clockmaker and Optician) Gustav Nissan of Hovmeden, Randers. It has a reference number on it 29/195 with some further writing beneath.The seatboard, having had to support the weights for over three centuries, has bowed somewhat and this has been compensated for by a sliver of wood to one side.
Height 6' 6". (198 cms.)

Michael Bird. The history of this family of clockmakers is discussed in some detail in Brian Loomes book on The Early Clock-makers of Britain. Michael Bird Senior, born in 1634, was freed at Oxford in 1654 and subsequently took on several apprentices including his sons Michael and Nathaniel.Michael Bird Junior started in Oxford but by 1682-83 had moved to London when he was admitted to The Clockmakers Company. The last record of him working was in 1703-1704.