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Lot Essay
Daniel Delander (d. 1733), the son of a watch casemaker, was apprenticed to Charles Halstead (d.c.1720) through the Clockmaker's Company from 1692. He was then apparently turned over to Thomas Tompion from whom he was made Free of the Clockmaker's Company on 3 July 1699. He most likely remained with Tompion as a Journeyman until he set up his own business at Devereux Court near The Temple by January 1706 until 1712 when he is listed At The Dial until his death.
Delander's best known longcase clocks had his own form of 'duplex' escapement housed in exceptional walnut cases with outstanding proportions. The dial and movement of this clock bears close resemblance to early movements by George Graham, notably the curve and position on the bolt-and-shutter lever on the dial, the lozenge half-hour markers, the design of the hands and the style of engraving between the spandrels. Even the style of engraving of the signature in the matted center is typical as is the oval silvered plaque on which it is displayed. Again like Graham's movements, it has thick brass plates, similar style pillars and finely shaped wheel cocks.
It now seems almost certain that Daniel Delander worked in the great Thomas Tompion's workshop which, towards the end of Tompion's life (d.1713), was being run by George Graham. When the latter inherited Tompion's business, Graham continued and advanced the Tompion House Style. Having worked for Tompion, with Graham as its foreman, it seems hardly surprising that Delander's work was so closely related and it is also possible that Graham and Delander continued a close collaboration.
We would like to express our thanks to Jeremy Evans F.B.H.I., D.O.G.S., British Museum, London, for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.
Delander's best known longcase clocks had his own form of 'duplex' escapement housed in exceptional walnut cases with outstanding proportions. The dial and movement of this clock bears close resemblance to early movements by George Graham, notably the curve and position on the bolt-and-shutter lever on the dial, the lozenge half-hour markers, the design of the hands and the style of engraving between the spandrels. Even the style of engraving of the signature in the matted center is typical as is the oval silvered plaque on which it is displayed. Again like Graham's movements, it has thick brass plates, similar style pillars and finely shaped wheel cocks.
It now seems almost certain that Daniel Delander worked in the great Thomas Tompion's workshop which, towards the end of Tompion's life (d.1713), was being run by George Graham. When the latter inherited Tompion's business, Graham continued and advanced the Tompion House Style. Having worked for Tompion, with Graham as its foreman, it seems hardly surprising that Delander's work was so closely related and it is also possible that Graham and Delander continued a close collaboration.
We would like to express our thanks to Jeremy Evans F.B.H.I., D.O.G.S., British Museum, London, for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.