All of the four clocks pictured here are by makers who became Masters in the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, the guild established in the City of London in 1631 to represent the clock and watchmaking trade. In chronological order: Edward East was Master in 1645 and 1653, Charles Gretton in 1700, Thomas Tompion in 1703 and George Graham in 1722.
The Thomas Tompion quarter repeating striking table clock estimated at £200,0000-300,000 is part of the Elliot collection of English clocks to be offered in Bonhams’ Fine Clocks sale on December 1.
Numbered 198 for c.1692, the rectangular dial with its twin subsidiaries allows time, winding, date, strike or silent to be controlled from the front. The backplate is engraved by the craftsman known today as ‘Engraver 155’.
The sale will also include a late 17th century longcase of three-month duration by Joseph Knibb and a rare early 18th century walnut longcase clock by Tompion and nephew Edward Banger.
An East lantern clock
Lantern clock by Edward East – estimate in the region of £30,000-50,000 at Gardiner Houlgate.
On October 27 Gardiner Houlgate of Corsham, Wiltshire, is bringing back to market a very rare verge winged ‘hook and spike’ lantern clock from the workshops of Edward East.
Jamie South at Gardiner Houlgate says: “The auction presents a unique opportunity for a serious collector or museum to purchase the only known clock of its type by one of the greatest English clockmakers.”
The clock, endorsed by several leading experts, was previously sold by Sotheby’s in October 1988. The estimate is likely to be in the region of £30,000-50,000 but has not been finalised.
Unrecorded Graham
A previously unrecorded, and fresh to the market, walnut longcase clock by George Graham will be brought to the market by Sotheby’s at a Classic Design auction in London on November 8.
The clock, numbered 638 for c.1722, has some case condition issues – the hood has been altered and the door, re-veneered – but this is reflected in the estimate of £20,000-30,000.
Renowned maker Gretton
A clock by renowned, but less known, English clockmaker Charles Gretton (b.c.1649) will be auctioned at Duke’s Autumn Auction in Dorchester on September 29.
The clock is inscribed above the dial Cha Gretton London and has a month-going five pillar movement, striking on a bell.
Duke’s notes that this clock, recorded in the catalogue raisonné Charles Gretton Clock & Watchmaking Through the Golden Age is one of the last known Gretton longcase clocks.
Estimate £7000-10,000.
