Early Clocks
And
Sundials
An
18th century
Hook-and-Spike, c1740
A wonderfully complete and original single-handed hook-and-spike wall clock by Gilkes of Adderbury. It was probably made by Richard Gilkes around c1740 and has a 10.5-inch square brass dial with a beautifully engraved zig-zag dial centre with a Lozenge type half hour-markers. The superb single iron hand is original. The busty lady spandrels are not the best quality, but they are original and held in place by their original screws.
Above. Showing the 10.5-inch square brass dial with a beautifully engraved zig-zag dial centre and Lozenge type half hour-markers.Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Below. Showing a close-up of the zig-zag dial centre. The superb single iron hand is original. Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Below. Showing the signature, signed Gilkes, Adderbury and was probably made by Richard Gilkes in about c1740. Photographed by Lee Borrett.
The iron hook-and-spike birdcage movement is exceptionally original throughout including retaining all of its original wheel-work, iron hoop, spurs, iron collets, pinions and bell etc. The clock also retains its original and fabulous wooden pulley and lead bucket type lead counterweight.
Above. Showing a side view of the Gilkes hook-and-spike birdcage movement. Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Below. The clock retains its original and fabulous wooden pulley and lead bucket type lead counterweight. Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Below. Showing a view of the top plate. Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Richard Gilkes was a prominent member of the Gilkes family, they were Quakers. He worked in Adderbury from around 1736 until his death in 1787 and was probably the originator of the zigzag dial. Extensive history of Richard and the extended family can be read in Beesons “clockmaking in Oxfordshire.
Hook-and-Spike
Wall Clocks
In the 18th century, Hook-and-Spike clocks were a cheaper alternative to the brass lantern clock and full longcase 30-hour clocks of the day. In essence, it was a smaller thirty-hour longcase which in fact had no case, but was made with the hoop and spurs with which the lantern clock had always been equipped, and which could thus be hung from any convenient wall hook, exactly as the lantern clock had done. It would have been a very popular and much more affordable clock to own.
Acknowledgement
Much of the above information on hook-and spike wall clocks has been taken from the excellent book entitled ' The Concise Guide to British Clocks' by Brian Loomes , who is the expert on such clocks!
