Very special standing clock from around 1700
Timepiece:
The movement has an anchor movement and a duration of one month. The platbands are connected by five pillars. The sawmill strikes the full hours on the large bell and strikes the half hours on the small bell.
Dial:
The dial with gold-plated center and silver-plated engraved ring shows the hours in Roman numerals.
Under the XII there is a secondment and below that in the center there is an alarm clock. Above the VI is a date indication. Between the V and the VII the signature is engraved: Fromanteel & Clarke.
Cabinet:
The oak cabinet is fully veneered with walnut veneer. The pendulum cabinet with straight door that has an Oval pendulum window in the center. The hood is richly decorated with carvings.
A.Fromanteel & C.Clarke:
CLOCKMAKERS FAMILY FROMANTEEL
Ahasuerus Fromanteel (1607-1693) was the first of a family of Anglo-Dutch clockmakers. He settled in London in 1625. His marriage to Maria de Bruijne in 1631 produced three sons, all of whom became prominent clockmakers. They settled in 1680 on the Vijgendam in Amsterdam. With offices in London, Amsterdam and Newcastle, the Fromanteel family was the first multinational company in clocks. In the course of the eighties, the three brothers Fromanteel, Johannes, Ahasuerus II and Abraham decided to use one joint signature, namely Fromanteel without initials or place of residence.
ABRAHAM FROMANTEEL & CHRISTOPHER CLARKE
In 1694 Christopher Clarke (1668-c. 1730) married the only daughter of Ahasuerus II, Anna. After 1696, Ahasuerus II associated with his son-in-law Christopher Clarke under the name Fromanteel & Clarke. After the death of Ahasuerus II, Clarke entered into partnership in 1703 with the last surviving Fromanteel, Abraham.
Abraham Fromanteel, (1646-1731) was a notable figure in the world of horology, continuing the legacy of his father, Ahasuerus Fromanteel, the pioneering clockmaker. Abraham’s contributions to the craft were significant, particularly in the partnership known as ‘Fromanteel & Clarke’ with his brother-in-law, Christopher Clarke. This collaboration was instrumental in the production of fine clocks and watches that were highly regarded for their craftsmanship and innovation. Abraham’s work spanned various locations, including Newcastle and London, reflecting the multinational reach of the Fromanteel family business. The Fromanteel clocks are a testament to the ingenuity and skill of Abraham and his family, with several pieces preserved in institutions like the British Museum and Rijksmuseum Boerhaave. His death in 1731 marked the end of an era for the Fromanteel name in clockmaking, but his legacy endures through the timeless pieces that continue to be celebrated by horology enthusiasts.