10 28th July 2012 london selection
Above: Thomas Tompion made table clocks in three basic sizes, most of them standing around 15in (38cm) high. Both of these clocks, sold by Carter-Wright at Masterpiece, are unusually small at 11½in (28cm) and 9½in (24cm) high. The so-called mid-size Tompion (No. 369) c.1702 is one of only a handful
known and the only one with silver mounts. The ‘miniature’ ebony table c.1704 (No. 414), pictured right, is one of seven recorded. Both sold for very substantial six-fi gure sums at the Chelsea fair. Masterpiece proved an extremely successful outing for Gloucestershire-
based Carter-Wright, with additional major sales including a longcase c.1685 by Joseph Knibb, another by Daniel Delander c.1730 with modifi cations by Benjamin Vulliamy and two clocks that once resided in George III’s private observatory at Kew – a mahogany astronomical table regulator by John Shelton c.1765 and a miniature weight-driven timer by George Graham.
“I am pleased to say that Masterpiece produced many good sales for us,” commented Lewes-based dealer Anthony Woodburn in the wake of the July fair. Among the most signifi cant sales were two Golden Age longcase clocks: a Queen Anne Thomas Tompion and an early London-made clock by Joseph Knibb. Numbered 385, the Tompion, with an unaltered month-going movement and a boldly fi gured 8ft 5in
(2.57m) walnut case (that retains the original moulded block feet) dates from c.1708. For the greater part of its life, the clock had been housed on the continent and the dealer believed it had changed families no more than three times. The Charles II walnut veneered eight day longcase clock pictured above left, of small proportions at
6ft 9in (1.05m) high, was one of the very fi rst clocks to have been made by Joseph Knibb upon his arrival in London from Oxford. Together the size of the dial and the signature Joseph Knibb, Londini fecit written in an early scroll are indicative of a clock made c.1672. The Tompion was sold for a fi gure in excess of £500,000 and the Knibb in the region of £200,000. Pictured above right is a rare William and Mary period square dial burr elm longcase clock, again
standing a diminutive 6ft 8in (2.01m) high, with eight-day hour striking movement by Richard Colston that was sold by London dealer Howard Walwyn Ltd at Masterpiece. The sale price was in the region of £50,000. Richard Colston is recorded as working in London between 1682 and 1709.
Left: twice a year Dreweatts hold Fine and Selected Clocks and Scientifi c Instruments sales at Donnington Priory, with the next on September 4. Already consigned for sale are these
three ‘Golden Age’ table clocks which are, from left to right: a Charles II ebony table clock, John Knibb, Oxford, c.1685 (estimate £25,000-35,000); a William III ebony table timepiece with silent pull repeat, Samuel Watson, London, c.1695 (estimate £7000-9000) and a Queen Anne table timepiece with silent pull repeat, Dan Robinson, Nottingham, c.1705 (estimate £2500-3500).
Above: among the sales made by Olde Time Antique Clocks of Norfolk at this year’s Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair was this fi ne quality Victorian brass and silvered brass skeleton clock with eight-day fusee movement and inlaid walnut base c.1860. It was priced at £5000.
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