Wright, probably Jacobus/James of Knole (Knowle, Warks), an ...

Estimate

£200 - £300

Wright, probably Jacobus/James of Knole (Knowle, Warks), an early 18th century single hand, birdcage type, 30-hour wall clock, c.1740, with late amendments and additions, 33 cm high, with later weights, pendulum and oak wall bracket. From the estate of the late William John Thornton (1937-2025), of Groby, Leicestershire. Known as 'John' to his friends and family, he became interested in steam engines from an early age, and then traction engines and aircraft, before building an extensive knowledge and collection of clocks, notably early Lantern clocks and longcases. He was a very keen member of the Antiquarian Horological Society, and gave several lectures to their members at Keble College, Oxford. John was also a member of the Furniture Society in Groby village, and the Groby allotment Society, being chairman of the latter for over 30 years. A Jacobus (James) Wright, is recorded in Knowle in 1710 but it seems he opted for the Anglicised moniker of James for his later works. An accompanying extract from B. Loomes, 'Lantern Clocks & Their Makers', 2008, (pp. 345-6), discusses this particular clock, stating that 'James Wright of Knowle, updated it to an anchor escapement, removed the brass feet, finials, doors, rear cover and the hoop for hanging on a wall, then fitted a new brass dial and iron hand. The centre dial...has rings and wheatear engraving, a feature of Wright's dials, but the corner engraving is probably 20th century to replace small cast-brass spandrels...'.