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Lot Essay
The excellent state of preservation of this unrestored clock bears close examination and re-kindles the debate over Tompion's early collaboration with Joseph Kinbb.
The case of the present clock with its long slender proportions bears a close resemblance to another very similar quarter striking longcase clock by Joseph Knibb, sold in these rooms 22 March, 1989, lot 195 (R.A. Lee, The Knibb Family Clockmakers, 1964, pp.108 & 182, pl.108). Both of these clock cases have the same 'feminine' proportions with identical mouldings above their remarkably well preserved plinths which support long narrow trunks. These cases, dating from the formative years of Knibb's work, were made in very small numbers and few survive today, particularly in this sort of condition. The fascinating movement of the present clock bears many early features that soon became regular hallmarks from Tompion's workshops. The long brass plates were a feature of his early movements but even by this early date they were very slightly thicker than Knibb's movement plates. The locking plate has been moved from the outside of the backplate to the inside beside the strike barrel. This alteration was probably made when the backcock was altered. Although it is a matter for conjecture, the backcock and crutch are both remarkably similar to those made by George Graham. It would be reasonable to suggest that forty years later this clock would have gone back to Tompion's old workshops for restorations and cleaning. The alteration to the escapement is corroborated not only by small filled holes at the top of the plates behind the present backcock but also by the two different positions of the pendulum bob, indicated by the hollowing out of the inside of the case.
The latches for the dial feet and pillars are unmistakably Tompion's work as are the under dial work and the pillars themselves. The dial retains the original gilding and the exquisite hands are a very rare survival from Tompion's early work which again shows clear influence from the Knibb workshops.
The case of the present clock with its long slender proportions bears a close resemblance to another very similar quarter striking longcase clock by Joseph Knibb, sold in these rooms 22 March, 1989, lot 195 (R.A. Lee, The Knibb Family Clockmakers, 1964, pp.108 & 182, pl.108). Both of these clock cases have the same 'feminine' proportions with identical mouldings above their remarkably well preserved plinths which support long narrow trunks. These cases, dating from the formative years of Knibb's work, were made in very small numbers and few survive today, particularly in this sort of condition. The fascinating movement of the present clock bears many early features that soon became regular hallmarks from Tompion's workshops. The long brass plates were a feature of his early movements but even by this early date they were very slightly thicker than Knibb's movement plates. The locking plate has been moved from the outside of the backplate to the inside beside the strike barrel. This alteration was probably made when the backcock was altered. Although it is a matter for conjecture, the backcock and crutch are both remarkably similar to those made by George Graham. It would be reasonable to suggest that forty years later this clock would have gone back to Tompion's old workshops for restorations and cleaning. The alteration to the escapement is corroborated not only by small filled holes at the top of the plates behind the present backcock but also by the two different positions of the pendulum bob, indicated by the hollowing out of the inside of the case.
The latches for the dial feet and pillars are unmistakably Tompion's work as are the under dial work and the pillars themselves. The dial retains the original gilding and the exquisite hands are a very rare survival from Tompion's early work which again shows clear influence from the Knibb workshops.