Overton Clocks of Chesterfield

Description

A fine Queen Anne red Japanned, tortoiseshell longcase clock by Benjamin Broadhead, London. The hood with inverted bell shaped pagoda with fretwork sounding apertures, tapering columns bordering a decorated door frame. The trunk door decorated with classical chinoiserie of Chinese figures, buildings and flowers, with lenticle over a decorated plinth base. The movement with five finned pillars, internally rack striking the hours on a bell. The dial with periodically characteristic shallow arch with strike/silent selector with an engraved terrifying “green man” background. A silvered chapter ring is bordered by grotesque mask spandrels, with a second hand and date aperture. The matted dial centre with a rare floral engraved central makers cartouche signed “B. Broadhead, Londini Fecit” which is flanked by twin winding holes. The engraving to the dial is strikingly similar to that of a clock by Jonathan Puller in the Weatherfield collection. A superb and elegant clock having great stature and presence. Benjamin Broadhead was apprenticed to William Speakman in1702 and free of the clockmakers company in 1709. The son of a gentleman born in Hoborn, Middlesex. It was very unusual for a gentleman’s son to take on a trade, in fact Broadhead may have reverted to being a gentleman on the death of his father, this possibly the reason for the rarity of his clocks. His former employer William Speakman became master of the clockmakers company in 1701.
The five knopped pillar movement with centre latched pillar has a most unusual internal rack striking mechanism and features a very complicated lever assembly for the strike silence. Most lovely of all is the dial! With a grotesque animal in the arch subsidiary dial, wheat ear edging and an engraved nameplate. The hands are exquisitely made with ringed centres and banding to the tips.
The movement has been fully overhauled by me personally and comes with a full three years guarantee for your peace of mind.

With over twenty years experience in restoring and conserving clocks and working on some of the finest and complicated clocks for a select group of the best antique clock dealers in the country.
As well as this, Overton Clocks has now decided to offer our customers the opportunity to purchase fine antique clocks that have been personally selected for their unique or special features. Each clock has been expertly restored to the highest of standards by myself. Overton clocks ensures peace of mind in your investment, by personally offering three years warranty on all of our timepieces.
I am a master clockmaker, a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and a member of the British watch and clockmakers guild. Overton Clocks is a traditional clock shop based in the heart of Chesterfield on two floors hosting a showroom and in-house fully equipped workshop.
For case studies and examples of our work, please see our website (overtonclock.co.uk) or find us on Facebook ( overtonclocks) for regular updates