A William III walnut and fruitwood marquetry longcase clock signed William Martin

The dial inscribed W^{m Martin Bristol} to the silvered chapter ring. The inside of the door with an old partial paper label inscribed Hall & Sons / Clock &  Watch Makers / at their old Established shop / -KING STREET - / RICHMOND, SURRY / Make & Repair all sorts of / Musical Quarters & Plain Clocks / Repeating, Horizontal & Plain / Makers &c. Sellers of all kins of / Gold & Silver Plate, Jewelry, / & Hardware. / Clocks wound & repaired by the Year / Mourning Rings with Expedition.; the glass panel to the case door etched John.  Alterations, additions.

Sold Christie's, New York,  January 30, 1982, lot 49

Sold Christie's, New York, October 12, 1996, lot 205

Overall good restored condition; the domed section of the hood added, some alterations to the lower part of the hood with possible later fretwork panel to the frieze above the door; chips to corners of central finial support and right finial support; finial supports and finials later; losses to the cross-cut molding of the front right corner to cornice of lower section of hood; seat board replaced; the case with two later added strips of wood to the back board of the case at join with hood; chip to veneer to front right corner of top of trunk; slight bowing to side panels; the door with old repairs to moldings of right edge; old patch to inside of door at join with top hinge; alterations to the plinth with possible replacements to the sides, the front marquetry panel appears to be original; some old worm to underside of case; overall with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises. The inside of the door with a later label inscribed 'OVERHAULED / BY / BRIGHTON CLOCK / WORKS JULY 1962 / 19 CLERMONT ROAD / BRIGHTON'. Pendulum and three weights present with this lot. Please note that the overall height inclusive of the finial is 8 ft. 7 3/4 in.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

William Martin is recorded as a clockmaker making lantern and bracket clocks and working in Bristol from 1703-39.

The finely inlaid floral marquetry of the case is typical of longcase clock cases of the period between 1695 and 1705.  This type of floral marquetry differs from earlier floral marquetry in that it is executed in continuous large panels as opposed to smaller panels surrounded by plain veneers.  It is also different from later 'arabesque', 'seaweed' or 'endive' marquetry, which though continuous, is generally made up of two veneers rather than multiple, individually cut fruitwood veneers.  The construction of the case is also particular to this period with a circular or oval lenticle to the door of the case, the hood housing a square dial, and generally made without a domed top, the present domed top and finials being later additions.  The present clock case is similar to clock cases illustrated in Derek Roberts, British Longcase Clocks, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., West Chester, 1990, pp. 58-61, figs. 81-85; and Tom Robinson, The Longcase Clock, Antique Collectors' Club Ltd., Woodbridge, 1989, pp. 102-105, figs. 5/20, 5/21, 5/22.