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Lot Essay
Herbert, Thomas. Made a Brother in the Clockmakers' Company in November 1676, although he was probably already a Freeman of another Company. In 1680 he is described as the King's Clockmaker and in 1683 he is ,
described as the Queen's Clockmaker. He is recorded until 1698. See Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, NAG Press, 1981, pp.296-297.
Longcase clocks with 1¼ seconds pendulums are particularly rare. When pendulums were applied to longcase clocks the first to be used were short five inch examples with verge escapement. As the verge required a wide arc of swing it was not practical to apply a longer pendulum since the confines of the trunk restricted the arc of swing. But it was appreciated before the invention of the anchor that a longer pendulum would produce more accurate timekeeping. By approximately 1 the anchor was invented and for a short period of time afterwards there was a certain amount of experimentation with the length of pendulums for this new escapement. The 1¼ seconds pendulum has the advantage that that it reduced timekeeping error, owing to its slower swing and smaller arc. However, it has a tendency to rock the case from side to side, sometimes causing the movement to stop altogether. The present clock is particularly unusual in that it exhibits not only the long pendulum but also a grande sonnerie movement with a month duration going train, an extremely rare combination. The marquetry case has undergone some restoration. Indeed, the original seatboard has had to be replaced owing to the enormous weight of the grande sonnerie movement and three weights. The plinth has been rebuilt but the original plinth door has survived with its marquetry, and the shadows indicating the position of the original hinges (now replaced by modern examples) are clearly visible.
described as the Queen's Clockmaker. He is recorded until 1698. See Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, NAG Press, 1981, pp.296-297.
Longcase clocks with 1¼ seconds pendulums are particularly rare. When pendulums were applied to longcase clocks the first to be used were short five inch examples with verge escapement. As the verge required a wide arc of swing it was not practical to apply a longer pendulum since the confines of the trunk restricted the arc of swing. But it was appreciated before the invention of the anchor that a longer pendulum would produce more accurate timekeeping. By approximately 1 the anchor was invented and for a short period of time afterwards there was a certain amount of experimentation with the length of pendulums for this new escapement. The 1¼ seconds pendulum has the advantage that that it reduced timekeeping error, owing to its slower swing and smaller arc. However, it has a tendency to rock the case from side to side, sometimes causing the movement to stop altogether. The present clock is particularly unusual in that it exhibits not only the long pendulum but also a grande sonnerie movement with a month duration going train, an extremely rare combination. The marquetry case has undergone some restoration. Indeed, the original seatboard has had to be replaced owing to the enormous weight of the grande sonnerie movement and three weights. The plinth has been rebuilt but the original plinth door has survived with its marquetry, and the shadows indicating the position of the original hinges (now replaced by modern examples) are clearly visible.