Marmaduke Storr. This walnut veneered longcase clock is fabulous and was made at the foot of London Bridge circa 1745. 225006.

This English walnut longcase clock, crafted by the renowned Marmaduke Storr in London during the first half of the 18th century, is a testament to the rich history of clockmaking.

Two Marmaduke Storrs are listed in Brian Loomes' Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World. Marmaduke (I), believed to be the father, was born on April 3, 1702, and was the grandson of the Summercroft Clockmaker George Canby (d1705) and the son of Marmaduke Storr, a Tanner living in Selby. Marmaduke, the first clockmaker, was trained by Stephen Horeman of London. His apprenticeship began in September of 1724. It is thought to have first worked in York and then moved to the foot of London Bridge in London about 1711. He died in 1750.

Marmaduke (II) 1724-1775 was a watch and watchmaker of fine repute. He is listed as working in a London shop at the foot of London Bridge. At the time, London Bridge was the longest inhabited bridge in Europe and spanned the River Thames. The foot of London Bridge is the area on the south bank where the medieval London Bridge once stood. For centuries, this was a crucial crossing point of the Thames and, as a result, attracted a variety of businesses.

This substantial cabinet showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of the clock, featuring exquisite selections of high-quality walnut veneers. The burl wood on the front of the case, with its busy grain pattern and striking contrast of coloring, is a feast for the eyes. 

The case stands on a double-stepped molding with vertical graining. This molding transitions the case from the floor into the base section. The base panel and the waist door are broadly cross-banded. The center base is book-matched. The circular grain patterns are complex. The waist molding is veneered. Centered in the waist section is a large tombstone-shaped door trimmed with applied molding. The six panels of fancy veneer selected for this location are outstanding. The grain pattern has been well-planned for this prime visual location. Behind the door is the brass-faced pendulum and two brass-covered drive weights. The frame of the waist is also covered in veneer. The break arch bonnet features a boldly formed arch molding. This cove molding exhibits excellent depth and is decorated in striped-grain veneer. Rectangular-shaped glazed windows are fitted into the side panels of the hood. Smoothly turn quarter columns are fitted into the back corners of the bonnet. The applied hood pillars are attached to the arched bonnet door. These terminate in brass capitals. The columns visually support the arch moldings. The bonnet door opens to access the dial.

This brass dial predates the painted dial. This was a very expensive dial to manufacture. It is constructed with a solid sheet of brass decorated with applied cast brass spandrels, a chapter ring, and decorative engravings. The spandrels are a popular form and are cast in yellow brass. Each of the four corner spandrels features an urn held by two eagles amongst swirling foliage and brick piers. Dolphin spandrels frame the applied and engraved Silent/Strike selector ting in the lunette. A 12-sided star is chased out in the center, a decorative feature other fine Makers, including Windmills, seemed to favor.

The time ring displays the five-minute makers in Arabic figures. A segment minute ring separates them from the Roman-style hour numerals. This time ring is also engraved with an interior minute ring. The interior minute ring is an early feature and fell out of favor by the 1750s. Please also note the use of the decorative flier-de-lis in between the Roman hours. A subsidiary seconds ring is located in the traditional location. Interestingly, This applied ring features Arabic figures at five-minute intervals, and the hand is positioned over an engraved starburst. The calendar display is locatedabove the hour numeral VI. The middle section of the dial is matted. This treatment aided one in finding the hands while reading the dial. A brass dial in the 1700s could quickly tarnish in buildings heated by coal and lit by candle or oil light. As a result, it could make it somewhat challenging to read in a poorly lit room. This clock was made and used long before the discovery of electricity. Today, two-color brass dials have maintained their contrasting qualities for generations because today's environment is much cleaner. Both the decorative hour and minute hands are steel. An applied banner that stretches from 7:30 to 4:30 reads, "Marm Storr the foot of London / Bridge." 

The movement is constructed in brass, with nicely finished cast brass plates supported by five knob-and-finned brass pillars. The gearing is brass, and the pinions are hardened steel. This weight-driven mechanism is designed to run for eight days once fully wound. The winding barrels grooved. This clock strikes each hour on a bell mounted above the works on a bell stand. The strike train is located between the plates and is actuated by a rack and snail design. A wooden seatboard supports the movement. The pendulum features a metal rod and a brass-faced lead bob.

This clock case measures 87 inches tall. The bonnet molding is 21 inches wide and 11 inches deep. It was made circa 1745.

English clocks of this quality are very difficult to find in today's market.

Inventory number 225006.