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Lot Essay
Year duration clocks are rare and have challenged the ingenuity of clockmakers for centuries. Perhaps the most the most famous example is the silver-mounted spring clock made by Thomas Tompion for William III, now in the British Museum. See also a year skeleton clock by John Pace (lot 129).
Along with details of the present example Roberts illustrates three further closely related year regulators. He notes that he has records of five such clocks and suggests that only ten or twelve were ever made by Dent. Of those known he suggests that the earliest dates from c.1865 and the latest (this example) from c.1909.
Along with details of the present example Roberts illustrates three further closely related year regulators. He notes that he has records of five such clocks and suggests that only ten or twelve were ever made by Dent. Of those known he suggests that the earliest dates from c.1865 and the latest (this example) from c.1909.