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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

Walnut longcase clock by Edward East

Partially verified

This longcase clock is attributed to Edward East and dated to circa 1685. The timepiece is housed in a walnut-veneered case featuring a sliding hood with an overhanging cornice. The hood displays three-quarter and quarter barley twist columns finished with gilt-brass Corinthian-style capitals and bases. The trunk incorporates a long door with bookmatched walnut veneers, bordered by half-round moulding, leading down to a base with three upright veneered panels resting on a plinth. The 10-inch square brass dial is signed "Eduardus East Londini" along the lower edge and includes cherub-head spandrels at the corners. It features a silvered Roman chapter ring with Arabic numerals and trident half-hour indicators, and a matted centre with a subsidiary seconds dial. The movement employs five pillars and an anchor escapement with bolt-and-shutter maintaining power, alongside an external countwheel strike mechanism.

Front view of the walnut longcase clock showing the dial, hood, trunk, and base.
Front view of the walnut longcase clock showing the dial, hood, trunk, and base. — Dorset Antique Clocks. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.dorsetantiqueclocks.co.uk
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
Edward East
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1685
Source-reported place
England

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

The walnut-veneered case is constructed with a sliding hood featuring an overhanging cornice. The hood is supported by columns with barley twist turning, which are adorned with gilt-brass Corinthian capitals and bases.

The long trunk door utilizes bookmatched walnut veneers framed by half-round moulded edges. The base section is finished with three upright veneered panels that sit upon a plinth.

Evidence for this section
  • “Walnut veneered case with a sliding hood and an overhanging cornice.”
  • “The hood is supported by three-quarter and quarter barley twist columns, adorned with gilt-brass Corinthian capitals and bases.”
  • “long trunk door crafted from ‘bookmatched’ walnut veneers”

Dial and Timekeeping

The 10-inch square brass dial is signed "Eduardus East Londini" in cursive script at the bottom. The dial features four winged cherub head spandrels and a silvered Roman chapter ring with Arabic minute markers and trident half-hour indicators.

The central portion of the dial is finely matted and incorporates a subsidiary seconds dial. The movement is attached to the dial using four latched dial feet.

Evidence for this section
  • “The clock’s 10-inch square brass dial is signed “Eduardus East Londini” in cursive script along the lower edge”
  • “The dial features a narrow silvered Roman chapter ring with an outer Arabic minute track and trident half-hour markers.”
  • “The finely matted centre includes large subsidiary seconds dial”

Movement

The internal movement is held by five knopped and finned pillars that are latched to the front plate. It functions using an anchor escapement with bolt-and-shutter maintaining power.

An external countwheel system drives the hour striking mechanism, which operates on a bell.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement is supported by five knopped and finned pillars latched to the front plate.”
  • “The clock operates with an anchor escapement, with bolt-and-shutter, maintaining power.”
  • “The external countwheel strike mechanism chimes the hours on a bell”

Open research questions

  • What is the extent of the restoration performed on the movement and case?
  • Does the movement retain its original components given the date of 1685 and the described anchor escapement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Walnut longcase clock by Edward East
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerEdward East“longcase clock by Edward East”
SignatureEduardus East Londini“signed “Eduardus East Londini” in cursive script along the lower edge”
Dial dimensions10-inch“The clock’s 10-inch square brass dial”
EscapementAnchor escapement“The clock operates with an anchor escapement”
Height193 cm (76 inches)“Height: 76″ or 193 cm”
Datecirca 1685“CIRCA. 1685”
ProvenancePrivate collection, UK“Provenance: Private collection, UK”

Visible details

  • Square brass dial features winged cherub spandrels.
  • Trunk door veneer pattern is bookmatched.
  • Hood is mounted with barley twist columns.
  • The dial shows a subsidiary seconds display.

Research qualifications

  • The clock is described as having undergone service and restoration.
  • The dating to circa 1685 is an attribution provided by the source.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

STUNNING WALNUT LONGCASE CLOCK – EDWARD EAST

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 048c196866

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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