Andrew Brown

Edinburgh made clocks that predate 1700 are exceedingly rare. Andrew Brown [or Broun] (circa 1651-1712) was apprenticed to Humphrey Milne on 2nd February 1665. His apprenticeship was recorded thus "The second day of February 1665. The quilk day, Andro Broun, sone lawfull to umquihil Jon Broun, in Lang Newtone, is booked prentice to Umpra Milne, clock maker." Ten years later he officially ended his apprenticeship after demonstrating his skill to a committee of clockmakers and became a freeman of the Hammermen's Incorporation. He then took on several apprentices and journeymen himself throughout his career. He became Captain of the City Guard in 1685 and Master of the Hammermen's Incorporation in 1689.

LOT 18 | RARE SCOTTISH EBONY, ROSEWOOD AND ELM MARQUETRY MONTH-GOING LONGCASE CLOCK, ANDREW BROWN [BROUN]
EDINBURGH, CIRCA 1695

the silvered brass 12in. square dial with a Roman numeral chapter with five-second markers, twin winding holes, date aperture, and subsidiary seconds dial, with cherub and crown pierced finials in caddy top hood with ebony columns, above a long trunk door with a brass banded lenticle and boxwood lined marquetry panels, on a base with a central marquetry panel and raised on bun feet; the month-going five pillar movement with five trains, anchor escapement, and outside countwheel hour strike on a bell | 228cm high | £8,000 - £12,000 + fees

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In 1689 and 1690 Brown was elected boxmaster [treasurer] of the Hammermen's Incorporation and in 1696 he became a Guild brother of Edinburgh. Although recorded as a highly capable maker, he apparently died penniless, with his son applying to the Incorporation for financial assistance on his father's death.

John Smith, author of Old Scottish Clockmakers from 1453 to1850, states "In view of the long time he was in business, - thirty-five years - it is remarkable how exceedingly scarce are specimens of his art, only three have come under our notice: one being the splendid clock in the lobby of the advocates library, another that was exposed for sale in the window of a dealer in Queen Street Edinburgh, both these two having cases of beautiful and chaste marquetry; and the third one in possession of a private party in Linlithgow"

We are delighted to present this rare example of Andrew Brown's work to auction in our September 2021 edition of Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art.

Auction Information

Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art

Lot: 1 to 361 - Wed, 1st Sep 2021 10:00

Lot: 362 to 639 - Thu, 2nd Sep 2021 10:00

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Antique Clocks

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