This is an eight day time and strike clock by this well documented maker. The early black lacquered case has chinoiserie designs to the long trunk door and base with gilt decoration to the sides, hood and hood pillars. Hood door glazed with what appears to be the original glass. Hood sides are similarly glazed.

The 12” square brass dial has a silvered chapter ring signed John Buffet, Colchester . With Roman hour chapters, Arabic minute numbers, inner quarters circle and half hour markers. The contemporary hands are of the non-matching form and are blued steel. A silvered seconds dial is below the XII marker with star pattern to the seconds arbor. Matted center section, ringed winding holes and bird and fruit design around the chamfered square date aperture. The dial has wheatear engraving around the outer edge and gilt female mask spandrels to the corners.

The brass plated movement is weight driven with early weights and pendulum, four ringed pillars and gut line drive. Anchor recoil escapement and inside countwheel striking control on a top mounted bell.

While movement and case are indeed contemporary and seem to be well suited, the seatboard has been replaced at some point. As with the majority of clocks these days, this example was acquired with a flat top. A replacement caddy in the style of John Buffet has been prepared and is shown in the images. Some gilding to the sides has been applied later.

John Buffet is well documented in the book Clock and Watchmaking in Colchester by Bernard Mason. A very similar lacquered clock by Buffet is shown on page 95. The case of this clock was conserved by Frank Minny who is known for his work at the British Museum , England . The complete report by Minny comes with the clock.

Height 96” to top of finial