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Lot Essay
This handsome longcase clock is one of the most original examples of a month-going Tompion longcase clock to have appeared at auction for many years.
CASE
The case has a beautiful mellow walnut colour. Many of the elements of this case that one might expect to have suffered over the past 300 years are in remarkably good order. Most notably the caddy top and the finials have survived in tired but unrestored condition. The large sound panels to the sides of the hood are beautifully fretted walnut and are very likely to be original. The more narrow panels between the door and caddy are also well fretted and a similar colour. Their size has meant that their design is different to those on the larger side panels. The damage is a little unsightly but a good restorer will be able to repair the damage invisibly. The trunk door and plinth have a slightly more mellow colour than the sides of the case owing to sunlight exposure and polishing. The trunk door has the original gilt-brass hinges and is clearly punch numbered twice in its customary position at the top of the leading edge. The horizontal cracks in the veneer at the top and base of the door caused by the design of the carcass are not severe and can be left alone. The plinth has a single skirt with evidence of a shadow around it possibly caused by damp, or more likely indicating that it had an additional base skirt.
DIAL
The dial has a wonderful aged appearance and the original gilding has been toned down by years of age and dirt. The hour and minute hands are original, the upmost tip is missing from the hour hand but that apart they are excellent examples of original hands from Tompion's workshops. Sadly the seconds hand is of later date but Tompion's seconds hands were relatively simple and a good copy could be made. The matting is dirty at present and will clean beautifully; Tompion's matting is unique and unrivalled by his contemporaries. The spandrels are notable for their excellent quality of casting and Tompion's unique use of two screws to secure them to the dial plate.
MOVEMENT
The movement, although dirty, has been working well in the owner's house. The only glaring replacement is the bell and its stand. A probable explanation for its loss is that a previous owner did not like the noise in the house and removed the bell with stand and in a subsequent move the clock and bell became separated. A particularly rare survival is the pendulm. The little nib piece the base of the well made brass-faced bob acts as a pointer against the indistinct calibrated scale on the rating nut. It is interesting to note that in later years Graham continued the same design, albeit in a typically more robust style.
Tompion made almost twice as many table clocks as he did longcase clocks and of those that do make it onto the open market very few have survived in this wonderful condition.
The Fairfax Family
The Fairfax family of West Yorkshire, an ancient and distinguished family, has since the 15th Century boasted a series of viscounts, barons, knights, judges, scholars, writers, politicians and generals, the most celebrated being Thomas, third Lord Fairfax (1621-71), Commander of the New Model Army in the English Civil War and the victor of the Battle of Naseby.
Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax (1692-1782), was another notable member of the family. He inherited from his mother, Catherine Culpepper, a vast area of Virginia - over 5,280,000 acres - still known today as the Northern Neck. Settling on his new world property in the late 1730s, he became a close friend and early employer of the young George Washington. Indeed, the two families became closely involved in many ways: there were two marriages between the families and it is said that George held strong affections for Sally, the wife of George William Fairfax, throughout his life.
The family remained in America thenceforth and the title was in abeyance between 1802 and 1908, until revived by the present Lord Fairfax's grandfather, Albert, who once again returned the family to these shores. It was Albert who set about building a splendid collection of paintings, books and furniture; and among them was Tompion No.318.
CASE
The case has a beautiful mellow walnut colour. Many of the elements of this case that one might expect to have suffered over the past 300 years are in remarkably good order. Most notably the caddy top and the finials have survived in tired but unrestored condition. The large sound panels to the sides of the hood are beautifully fretted walnut and are very likely to be original. The more narrow panels between the door and caddy are also well fretted and a similar colour. Their size has meant that their design is different to those on the larger side panels. The damage is a little unsightly but a good restorer will be able to repair the damage invisibly. The trunk door and plinth have a slightly more mellow colour than the sides of the case owing to sunlight exposure and polishing. The trunk door has the original gilt-brass hinges and is clearly punch numbered twice in its customary position at the top of the leading edge. The horizontal cracks in the veneer at the top and base of the door caused by the design of the carcass are not severe and can be left alone. The plinth has a single skirt with evidence of a shadow around it possibly caused by damp, or more likely indicating that it had an additional base skirt.
DIAL
The dial has a wonderful aged appearance and the original gilding has been toned down by years of age and dirt. The hour and minute hands are original, the upmost tip is missing from the hour hand but that apart they are excellent examples of original hands from Tompion's workshops. Sadly the seconds hand is of later date but Tompion's seconds hands were relatively simple and a good copy could be made. The matting is dirty at present and will clean beautifully; Tompion's matting is unique and unrivalled by his contemporaries. The spandrels are notable for their excellent quality of casting and Tompion's unique use of two screws to secure them to the dial plate.
MOVEMENT
The movement, although dirty, has been working well in the owner's house. The only glaring replacement is the bell and its stand. A probable explanation for its loss is that a previous owner did not like the noise in the house and removed the bell with stand and in a subsequent move the clock and bell became separated. A particularly rare survival is the pendulm. The little nib piece the base of the well made brass-faced bob acts as a pointer against the indistinct calibrated scale on the rating nut. It is interesting to note that in later years Graham continued the same design, albeit in a typically more robust style.
Tompion made almost twice as many table clocks as he did longcase clocks and of those that do make it onto the open market very few have survived in this wonderful condition.
The Fairfax Family
The Fairfax family of West Yorkshire, an ancient and distinguished family, has since the 15th Century boasted a series of viscounts, barons, knights, judges, scholars, writers, politicians and generals, the most celebrated being Thomas, third Lord Fairfax (1621-71), Commander of the New Model Army in the English Civil War and the victor of the Battle of Naseby.
Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax (1692-1782), was another notable member of the family. He inherited from his mother, Catherine Culpepper, a vast area of Virginia - over 5,280,000 acres - still known today as the Northern Neck. Settling on his new world property in the late 1730s, he became a close friend and early employer of the young George Washington. Indeed, the two families became closely involved in many ways: there were two marriages between the families and it is said that George held strong affections for Sally, the wife of George William Fairfax, throughout his life.
The family remained in America thenceforth and the title was in abeyance between 1802 and 1908, until revived by the present Lord Fairfax's grandfather, Albert, who once again returned the family to these shores. It was Albert who set about building a splendid collection of paintings, books and furniture; and among them was Tompion No.318.