An early 18th century longcase dial and movement by Thomas Tompion now contained in an associated walnut case
The dial and movement circa 1709 by Thomas Tompion, London, number 489
The caddy top surmounted by three gilt wood ball finials over a bold ogee moulded cresting, pierced sound fret and gilt metal-mounted Corinthian three-quarter and quarter columns, the long trunk door centred by a brass-framed lenticle, on a crossbanded base, the 11 inch square brass dial with double screwed Indian mask spandrels, interspersed by four sections of engraved foliage, with bolt and shutter maintaining power lever to the upper right hand edge by II, the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with half-quarter marks and half hour marks emanating from the quarter hour track, the finley matted centre with applied subsidiary seconds dial and signature cartouche engraved and polished in the matting, signed in uppercase letters 'THO TOMPION LONDON', the chamfered date aperture revealing the date, with pin hole adjustment, latched to the frontplate of the movement, the movement united by five latched, knopped and finned pillars, the backplate cut for the anchor and with heavy steel L-shaped bracket to aid securing to the backboard, with inside countwheel strike on the bell, the hammer arbour cocked from the backplate, punch numbered to the lower edge 489 2.27m (7ft 5ins) high.
The caddy top surmounted by three gilt wood ball finials over a bold ogee moulded cresting, pierced sound fret and gilt metal-mounted Corinthian three-quarter and quarter columns, the long trunk door centred by a brass-framed lenticle, on a crossbanded base, the 11 inch square brass dial with double screwed Indian mask spandrels, interspersed by four sections of engraved foliage, with bolt and shutter maintaining power lever to the upper right hand edge by II, the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with half-quarter marks and half hour marks emanating from the quarter hour track, the finley matted centre with applied subsidiary seconds dial and signature cartouche engraved and polished in the matting, signed in uppercase letters 'THO TOMPION LONDON', the chamfered date aperture revealing the date, with pin hole adjustment, latched to the frontplate of the movement, the movement united by five latched, knopped and finned pillars, the backplate cut for the anchor and with heavy steel L-shaped bracket to aid securing to the backboard, with inside countwheel strike on the bell, the hammer arbour cocked from the backplate, punch numbered to the lower edge 489 2.27m (7ft 5ins) high.
Sold for
£33,600
inc. premium
Footnotes
- While the movement to this clock is of a standard Tompion nature, closely comparable to several other examples, the dial is more interesting in that it shows non-standard features. Departures from standard procedure are rare amongst Tompion's recorded clocks, but there were periods when unusual features were tried. Although unique in design, the cartouche of 489 may be compared with those of a group of clocks made c. 1700-1701. The dial of number 486 is even more non-standard than that of 489, with decorative engraving around the date aperture, and enhanced half-hour marks.
The case is not original - this was purchased in May 1992 from Phillips Auctioneers and at that time contained the un-numbered movement and dial in this current sale catalogue as lot 119. Sometime since that case was purchased in 1992, the number 489 has been punched onto the inside of the door.
We are grateful to Jeremy Evans for his help in compiling this footnote.
Category: Clocks and Watches / Clocks
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