GEORGE HARRIS - FRITWELL - RARE C17TH HOOK AND SPIKE CLOCK - 1670 - SUPERB ORDER

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GEORGE HARRIS - FRITWELL - RARE C17TH HOOK AND SPIKE CLOCK - 1670 - SUPERB ORDER:
$5284.24

For sale is a very rare and important hook and spike clock, by George Harris of Fritwell, circa 1670. This clock is one of only five known examples by Harris, and the only known example of a hook and spike clock (three of the othersbeing lantern clocks, and one a church turret clock).
The hook and spike was the precursor to the long case clock (or Grandfather clock), which were made in the C18th and C19th.Essentially it is a fine movement, on the back of which has a hook and a spike, and this is hung on a screw, which is fixed to a wall.
It consists of a beautifully made brass face plate, with scrolling foliate corners, a silvered dial with Roman numerals, and a single hand. Unusually for a clock of this age, it boasts a date wheel. Above the face is a bell, and below it is the original chain with lead weight, hand-turned mahogany wheel, and iron balancer. The face is clearly signed \'Geo Harris - Fritwell\'.
The clock was once in the Manor at Hanwell, near Banbury. The owner of the Manor was a close friend of George Harris, and so innovative was Harris as a clockmaker, he commissioned him to make and maintain the turret clock in the Parish Church of St. Peter,at Hanwell. An important point in regards Harris\' innovation is his addition of a date wheel inthis clock.
The only traceable sale record for a Harris clock can be found here, and so sought after is his work, that this example made £12,000: [link removed by ]sales/14227/lot/102/
One of the other examples of his work can be found in a National Trust property in Cornwall, and this has had made for it a C19th the turret clock can be seen here: [link removed by ]
George Harris was born circa 1619 and died in June 1694 and is now buried in St. Olave\'s Churchyard, Fritwell.He appears to have remained around the Fritwell area for all of his working life. A memorial tablet in Deddington Parish Church engraved and signed by Harris illustrates well how some makers in this early period turned their hands to whatever work was offered. The form of signature, with the elongated \'G\' and curved \'H\' are identical to those found on this clock. This work obviously stood him in good stead with the local clergy as he went on to repair the clocks of other local churches in 1669 and 1682. He worked also as a blacksmith, and farrier, and lived in the Old Forge, Fritwell.
I have had it painstakingly restored by a master clock restorer, and to this end, it keeps excellent time and date.
Overall, this isa very rare and important clock, by a highly sought after clockmaker of the C17th.
Should you have any questions relating to this item, or indeed you would like further images, then please don\'t hesitate to contact me.
Owing to its weight and age, we would prefer it to be collected in person. We are, however, happy to arrange for a courier to collect, at cost. Within a radius of 40 miles from OX27, we are happy to deliver, for a small cost.