Roman Striking Table Clock On the backplate of this small silver mounted ebony table clock is the signature Joseph Knibb Londini Invenit et Fecit Anno Domini 1677.[1] The Invenit (literally ‘discovered’ in Latin) probably refers to the quirky Roman striking featured on this clock. Roman striking is an experimental striking method invented by the clock’s maker, Joseph Knibb, of the famous Knibb clockmaking family.[2] This little clock has an impressive pedigree. Knibb made it the same year that he became a Free Brother of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. The clock appears to have been acquired by King Charles II and eventually became part of King George III’s collection. Later, King George presented the clock to his surgeon, Thomas Beckett. It remained in the Beckett family until it was sold by Thomas Beckett’s great grandson through the Bobinet dealership of London to the collection of watchmaker George Daniels.[3] Roman striking and the true Roman IV Traditionally, all early clocks were given a non-Roman IIII on the chapter ring rather than the true Roman IV. This choice was purely aesthetic, because the non-Roman IIII visually balances with the Roman VIII better than the true Roman IV. Knibb used the true Roman IV to signify this clock’s experimental striking method, in which the time is sounded out through the striking of two bells. On each hour, the mechanism strikes one blow on the high bell for each Roman I, and one blow on the low bell for each Roman V. While on the low bell, the mechanism strikes two blows to represent the Roman X when sounding out the hours IX to XII. Although novel, Knibb’s Roman striking method did not catch on because it was not intuitively understood and instead required detailed explanation. This clock’s Roman striking is driven by its strike train and counted out by the small external countwheel mounted on the backplate. Both are mounted on the III side of the clock. Knibb’s sensitive tic-tac escapement There is the less likely possibility that the Invenit referred to the clock’s tic-tac escapement, probably invented by Knibb as well. However, Knibb had already been using this type of escapement for several years when the clock was made. For other Knibb clocks with tic-tac escapements, see his Phase I spring clock made around 1675 as well as his velvet dial grande sonnerie table clock made around 1680 – both coming soon to Clocktime. Despite being designed to improve upon the timekeeping of the standard verge escapement, the tic-tac escapement was more sensitive, and its reliability was contingent upon the clock remaining absolutely level. A ‘Knibb Phase II’ case The clock’s case is categorised as a Knibb Phase II, based on its minimally elegant decoration. Also, it is the earliest surviving clock of Knibb’s Phase II clocks.[4] Instead of using the conventional silvered brass for the dial features and decorative elements, Knibb made a statement by using pure silver. The juxtaposition of silver against the ebony veneer of the clean-lined oak case is truly striking and definitively set Knibb’s style apart from that of other makers. This clock was and is instantly recognisable as a 'Knibb'. The solid-silver chapter ring is dramatically set against the black velvet covered dial plate. Framing the chapter ring are four silver-winged cherub spandrels, one in each corner. In the centre of the dial is a silver circular foliate disc pierced with a symmetrically balanced engraved floral design. In the upper circumference of the centre disc is a tiny engraved plaque with the signature Joseph Knibb Londini Fecit. Additionally, the ebony frame of the front door on the case is decorated with two elaborate cast-silver cherub escutcheons. The cherubs look inwards, with one on each side of the door, by the IX and the III respectively. The high quality and beauty of this type of escutcheon's became associated with Knibb, and these became known as 'Knibb escutcheons' – another feature instantly recognisable as Knibb's. Another subtly beautiful detail is the delicately carved ebony frieze fret at the top of the front door, just above the dial plate. Other silver elements include three pierced repoussé silver mounts of foliage, with one mounted on the front as well as each side of the caddy top of the case. There is also a small silver S-scroll handle affixed to the top of the case. It pivots on internal ball mounts. Finally, the case is topped by four silver-vase finials, mounted on each of its top four corners. The finials were thought by collector George Daniels to be Victorian, so he replaced them with solid silver balls. Recent tests by the Goldsmiths’ Company show that they were most likely contemporaneous with the clock. Fortunately, Daniels kept the original finials, and they have been restored to the case (as pictured here on Clocktime). The clock’s side doors and back door also have glass inserts to reveal the movement, including the exquisitely engraved gilt backplate within. The backplate and the gilt brass short pendulum with its small pear-shaped bob are the only gilt-brass features on the outside of the clock. End Notes [1] Dawson et al. 1994, 329–337; Garnier and Hollis 2018, 296, Catalogue No. 85; Taylor and Leith 2020, 31, Exhibit No. 4:3. [2] Lee 1964. [3] The clock was sold with an accompanying undated typed letter from John Philip Beckett, the great grandson of Thomas Beckett. Thomas Beckett was presented with the clock as a gift by King George III, in recognition of his loyal and devoted service as surgeon to the Grenadier Guards in 1794 and as Surgeon to the Savoy in 1809. Thomas was also a lifelong friend of the King [4] Garnier and Hollis, 2018, 296. References Dawson, P. G., C. B. Drover and D. W. Parkes. 1994 [1982]. Early English Clocks: A discussion of domestic clocks up to the beginning of the eighteenth century. Garnier, R. and L. Hollis. 2018. Innovation & Collaboration: The early development of the pendulum clock in London. Isle of Man: Fromanteel Ltd. Lee, R. A. 1964. The Knibb Family, Clockmakers. Manor House Press. Taylor, J. C. 2018. Innovation & Collaboration: Exhibition guide. Isle of Man: Fromanteel Ltd. Taylor, J. C. and K. Leith (with contributions from T. Phillipson and K. Neate). 2020. The Luxury of Time: Clocks from 1500 – 1800. Isle of Man: Fromanteel Ltd.