Y A WILLIAM III EBONY TABLE CLOCK THE MOVEMENT SIGNED FOR JOSHUA WILSON, LONDON, CIRCA 1700 AND LATERThe six finned pillar twin fee bell-striking movement with verge escapement regulated by short bob pendulum incorporating scroll engraved apron to the backcock the herringbone-bordered backplate finely engraved with a central cartouche enclosing signature Joshua Wilson, London within symmetrical foliate strapwork issuing from a grotesque and pair of lions masks jt beneath the backcock apron, now with 7 by 8 inch rectangular brass dial plate with winding holes to the matted centre, within original applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes within the outer minute track, with scroll-pierced blued steel hands and applied cast gilt winged cherub mask spandrels to angles within herringbone engraved outer border incorporating foliate scroll infill to upper and lower margins and bearing engraved text Joshua Wilson, London between the lower spandrels, in a case with Quatre type double-scroll hinged brass carrying handle to the domed caddy superstructure overplex top mouldings and rectangular glazed front door incorporating scroll pierced brass to a lozenge-shaped aperture to the upper rail, the sides with rectangular windows beneath conforming frets and the rear with glazed door set within the frame of the case, on ogee moulded shallow skirt base with brass disc feet, (dial plate replaced, quarter repeat-work removed).39cm (15.5ins) high with handle down, 26cm (10.25ins) wide, 16.5cm (16.25ins) deep.Joshua Wilson is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born circa 1675 and apprenticed to William Fuller in 1688 but not Freed. It would appear that he was a Quaker hence did not sign the Clockmaker's oath of allegiance in 1697. After 1699 he carried on trade with the widow of Francis Stamper, paid quarterage until 1702, and is believed to have died in 1714.The engraved decoration to the backplate of the current lot can be closelypared to that on a clock by Francis Asselin illtrated in Dzik, Sunny ENGRAVING ON ENGLISH TABLE CLOCKS, Art on a Canvas of Brass 1660-1800 on page 265 (Figure 15.5). From this it would be reasonable to suggest that both the Asselin backplate and that of the current lot were engraved by the same hand; most likely a French Huguenot immigrant craftsman.