The well-recorded switch in the marketplace for all things decorative has impinged on the once purist horological market to the extent that these days decorative cases can be more important than sound movements in determining the value of good, but not outstanding, clocks.
In the instance of the offering at Warnham, the five-pillar movement had a replacement mahogany baseboard but the opulent appearance of the longcase more than compensated for that.
The arched dial had a moonphase and gilt spandrels, while the hood featured a blind fretwork frieze, flanking columns and three gilt ball finials.
Measuring 7ft 9in (2.36m) high and consigned in fairly good order from a local house, the longcase was sold above-expectations to the London trade at £12,000.
Elsewhere, the furniture included a Victorian circular mahogany snap-top breakfast table on a chamfered column and platform base, 4ft 7in (1.40m) diameter, which made £1650 and a late Georgian mahogany sofa table with a waved mid-rail and turned stretcher on scroll supports, 3ft 1in (94cm) wide, which merited £1300.
A good ship’s binnacle compass by Lilley & Reynolds complete with gimble and two lanterns rated £290.
Denhams, Warnham,
February 7
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Decorative longcase is sign of the times selling at £12,000
UK: STANDING head and shoulders above all other entries to this monthly sale in Sussex was a fine quality c. 1760 mahogany longcase clock by James Clarke of London.
