Among them are those offered by Tetbury dealer Ben Wright Clocks which will shortly publish a catalogue of latest acquisitions including a rare Tompion.
“This is much more interesting than the usual Tompion ebony striking table clock,” says Ben Wright, “firstly because it’s one of his more glamorous Phase III examples, but also because it illustrates the fall-out between Thomas Tompion and his erstwhile business partner (and nephew in law) Edward Banger.
“We don’t know the full details but the partnership was dissolved around 1708 when this clock [numbered 465], was still awaiting its new owner. Tompion had the joint signatures covered by a plaque engraved with only his name” (see detail).
One of only three other clocks known to have been given this treatment, it is priced at £295,000.
