A month-going longcase clock by John May, London c.1705.

Oak case veneered in walnut, with brass trim and a glass lenticle in the trunk door. The 12 inch brass dial has a matted centre, ringed winding holes, a date aperture edged with bird and basket engraving, crown and cherub spandrels in each corner, an applied silvered chapter-ring, and a subsidiary seconds dial with an engraved starburst pattern in the centre. Chapter ring signed ‘John May, London’. The movement has an anchor escapement with seconds pendulum, latched plates, and count wheel striking, with the count wheel on the outside of the movement.

John May was of Dutch origin. He became a freeman of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1692 and died in 1738.

Clockmakers' Museum No. 550.