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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Tall case clock

William and Mary Walnut Tall Case Clock

Partially verified

Attributed by the auction house to William Cottrill of London, this late 17th-century William and Mary tall case clock stands 81 1/2 inches high in a walnut-veneered case. The hood features barley-twist columns framing a 10-inch dial with corner spandrels and Roman numerals, while the long trunk door incorporates a circular pendulum viewing aperture. Freeman's condition report describes the clock in fair and stable condition, noting scattered age splits across the veneer and an imperfectly engaging lock. The hood lacks a front door and must be removed entirely for winding. The movement strikes when manually advanced and both chambers accept a wind.

Full frontal view of the William and Mary walnut tall case clock showing hood, trunk, and base
Full frontal view of the William and Mary walnut tall case clock showing hood, trunk, and base — Freeman's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
freemansauction.com
Category
Clock · Tall case clock
Maker / attribution
William Cottrill
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
256
Source-reported date
Late 17th Century
Country
United Kingdom

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 and Form

This William and Mary style tall case clock is constructed with a walnut-veneered exterior, measuring 81 1/2 inches in height. The design features a trunk door adorned with figured burl walnut veneer and a circular pendulum lenticle for viewing the movement's oscillation.

The hood is defined by barley-twist wooden columns flanking the dial. The hood lacks a front door, requiring the entire upper section to be removed to access the movement for winding.

Evidence for this section
  • “Height 81 1/2 x width 18 x depth 9 3/4 inches.”
  • “Trunk door features figured burl walnut veneer and a circular pendulum lenticle”
  • “There is not a door on the front of the hood, so it must be removed entirely to wind the clock.”

Dial and Movement

The clock is fitted with a 10-inch brass dial featuring corner spandrels and traditional Roman numeral hour indices. While the maker is attributed to William Cottrill of London, the internal mechanism has not been examined by a professional horologist.

Functional testing by the auction house indicates that the movement accepts a wind in both chambers and strikes on the hour when the hands are manually advanced.

Evidence for this section
  • “Square brass dial features spandrels in the four corners and Roman numeral hour indices”
  • “Diameter of dial 10 inches.”
  • “The clock strikes on the hour when hands are manually advanced, and both chambers take a wind.”
  • “Has not been examined by an horologist.”

Condition and Limitations

The object is reported by the auction house to be in fair and stable condition, though it exhibits age-related wear including scattered veneer splits. Mechanical function is affected by a non-engaging lock, which causes the trunk door to drift open.

The item is sold in 'as is' condition, and the provided condition notes do not constitute a full accounting of condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “Appearing in overall fair and stable condition.”
  • “Scattered age splits in the veneer of the case throughout.”
  • “There is a case key, but the lock does not properly engage and the door drifts open slightly.”
  • “All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction”

Open research questions

  • To what extent are the internal components, including the pendulum and weights, original to the late 17th-century period?
  • Does the current movement configuration match the original specifications for a William Cottrill timepiece?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for William and Mary Walnut Tall Case Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWilliam Cottrill, London“William Cottrill, London, Late 17th Century”
DimensionsHeight 81 1/2 x width 18 x depth 9 3/4 inches“Height 81 1/2 x width 18 x depth 9 3/4 inches.”
Dial Diameter10 inches“Diameter of dial 10 inches.”
ProvenanceSaxton House Gallery, Gloucestershire, May 10th, 1993“Provenance: Saxton House Gallery, Gloucestershire, May 10th, 1993 (copy of invoice)”

Visible details

  • Barley-twist wooden columns flank the square dial window on the hood
  • Trunk door features figured burl walnut veneer and a circular pendulum lenticle
  • Square brass dial features spandrels in the four corners and Roman numeral hour indices

Research qualifications

  • The movement has not been examined by a professional horologist
  • Source notes scattered age splits in the veneer and a lock that does not properly engage
  • The hood lacks a front door and must be removed completely to wind the movement

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

Consulted source

A William and Mary Walnut Tall Case Clock | Freeman's

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record f6cfc8b742

Terms in this record

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

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