Samuel Knibb Knibb was a gifted early British clockmaker from Oxfordshire who produced superlative clocks during the 1660s, while operating in the heart of London.[1] He was among a group of innovative clockmakers at the forefront of early pendulum clock design. Only five signed clocks by Knibb are known. Each one is of the highest quality: beautifully decorated and technically complex. The reason that so few of Knibb’s clocks survive is because his life was tragically cut short when he died around 1670 from infection during one of the last waves of plague to ravage London. During the 7 years or so that he was professionally active in London, Knibb personified the spirit of innovation and collaboration that drove the London clockmaking market, then the clockmaking capital of the world. In this vein, he made new, exciting and often theatrical productions. His design forms also indicate that he worked closely with clockmaker Ahasuerus Fromanteel, architect John Webb and artist Wenceslaus Hollar – each a leading light in London’s wider bustling culture of vanguard designers, artisans and scientists. Knibb also shared workshop space and worked with Henry Sutton, one of the finest instrument makers of his day. Knibb was a senior member of the Knibb clockmaking family. Following his death, they quickly became one of British horology’s most important clockmaking dynasties. Arguably, it was his design precedence that set the standard of excellence seen in the productions by younger members of his family who followed in his footsteps. Chief among these are Knibb’s younger cousins, the clockmakers Joseph and John Knibb.[2] Taking all this into account, the rarity and significance of Knibb’s clocks cannot be overstated. End Notes [1] Lee 1964. [2] Joseph Knibb was born in 1640 and was 15 years younger than his uncle, Samuel. Joseph was the son of Thomas Knibb (b. 1600, d. 1675), who was the brother of Samuel’s father, John Knibb. Joseph’s younger brother was John Knibb (b. 1649, d. 1722), who References Carter, J. 2022. The John C Taylor Collection: Part III (Selling Exhibition Catalogue, Carter Marsh & Co). Winchester: Carter Marsh & Co. Darken, J. (editor). 2003. Horological Masterworks: English 17th century clocks from private collections. London: Antiquarian Horological Society. Dawson, P. 1965. ‘The Cupola Clock’, in Antique Collector, April: 71–75. Ende, H. van der, J. C. Taylor and F. Van Kersen. 2004. Huygens’ Legacy: The golden age of the pendulum clock (Exhibition Catalogue). Isle of Man: Fromanteel Ltd. Garnier, R. 2018b. ‘The Fromanteel Architectural Early-Pendulum Clock Case (c1660–c1673)’ in Garnier, R. and L. Hollis (editors). Innovation & Collaboration: The early development of the pendulum clock in London. Isle of Man: Fromanteel Ltd. Hurst, M. 1969. ‘The First Twelve Years of the English Pendulum Clock’ in Antiquarian Horology 6/3: 146–56. Lee, R. A. 1964. The Knibb Family, Clockmakers. Liverpool: Manor House Press. Lee, R. A. 1964a. ‘The Knibb Family, Clockmakers’ in Antiquarian Horology 7:4, 202–209. Lee, R. A. 1969. The First Twelve Years of the English Pendulum Clock (loan exhibition catalogue).
