An early attractive 12" square dial black-stained alder veneered, 8-day and striking Dutch longcase clock, date, seconds dial and alarm, signed Symon van Leeuwen, Amsterdam, case with ebony faced mouldings and inlay, a caddy and gilt wooden finials. 246 cm high incl. finial. Ca. 1715. The type of veneer was popular during the first quarter of the 18th century in England, Germany and The Netherlands. It has recently been determined that this type of veneer was often confused with burr elm, maple, amboina or mulberry. In most cases, after thorough investigation,
it appeared to be alder (Aldus glutinosa or Aldus incana), a common domestic type of almost white veneer, black-stained with e.g. charcoal, then coloured, giving the veneer an exotic look. This was perhaps to imitate tortoise shell, popular in France at the time. This country then led the European fashion.
Symon van Leeuwen, a prolific clockmaker, was responsible
for the maintanance of turret clocks for the city of Amsterdam
for a considerable time. Workshop at Leidsestraat. He is mentioned
in the City’s Register of Good Men, both in 1704 and 1716.