Lot 70
70
A George I walnut longcase clock
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 
A George I walnut longcase clock

WILLIAM WEBSTER, LONDON. CIRCA 1720

Details
A George I walnut longcase clock
William Webster, London. Circa 1720
The hood with brass-capped three-quarter columns flanking the breakarch door, foliate pierced wood blind frets beneath the caddy top surmounted by brass ball-and-spire finials, the breakarch trunk door with engraved brass escutcheon, later plinth with raised rectangular panel on double-footed base, the dial signed Wm. Webster Exchange Alley London in the matted centre with seconds ring and calendar aperture, silvered chapter ring, later blued steel hands, female mask-and-foliate spandrels, dolphin spandrels in the arch flanking a strike/silent ring, the movement with five ringed pillars, anchor escapement and rack strike on a later gong fixed to the backboard
10ft. 1in. (275cm.) high
Provenance
The Webster Collection
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

Webster, William. Free of the Clockmakers' Company 1710, subsequently Warden of the Company, died 1734. Webster was apprenticed to and a journeyman for, Thomas Tompion. After the latter's death the following advertisement appeared in The Englishman, The London Gazette and The Post Boy: 'On the 20th Instant Mr. Thomas Tompion, noted for making all sorts of the best Clocks and watches departed this Life. This is to certify all Persons whatever Quality or Distinction, that WILLIAM WEBSTER, at the Dyal and Three Crowns in Exchange-Alley, London, served his Apprenticeship and lived as a Journey-man a considerable time with the said Mr. Tompion, and by his Industry and care is fully acquainted with the Secrets of the said Art.' See R.W. Symonds, Thomas Tompion His Life and Work, Batsford, 1951, p.50, fn.

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