Classic clocks on offer from a firm with family values
29 December 2021 When the founder of a Yorkshire auction house came out of retirement and helped his son restart the family business it proved to be a timely decision.
Thomas Tompion bracket clock - estimate £40,000-60,000 at Hutchinson Scott on January 7.
Philip H Scott set up Hutchinson Scott in 1976 but retired in 2014. The revived Hutchinson Scott, based in Skipton, is now in its sixth year of operation run by Philip’s son - restorer Michael Scott - and Lancashire dealer Paul Hodson.
Both are horology experts, which helps to explain the saleroom’s success in clock auctions. The latest is being held on January 7: The Fine Clock Sale offering 97 lots.
Here are five suggestions on what to buy.
Terrific Tompion
A ‘splash the cash’ option is definitely this impressive bracket clock (pictured top) from one of the most famous makers, Thomas Tompion.
It is catalogued as an ‘important and rare' pre-numbered Charles II figured walnut Dutch striking bracket clock. The clock is featured in the book Thomas Tompion, at the Dial and Three Crowns by Jeremy Evans.
Tompion (1639-1713) was one of England's greatest clockmakers. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Hutchinson Scott says: “This clock is representative of a short time in Tompion’s earlier working life when he was under particular pressure and demand outstripped supply. At this time (latter 1670s) he was working with only one apprentice and had some of the most important early commissions that were to enhance his reputation and enable him to expand his output.”
Estimate £40,000-60,000.
View the Tompion bracket clock on thesaleroom.com
Quare? Quite right
Daniel Quare longcase clock - estimate £15,000-25,000 at Hutchinson Scott on January 7.
Daniel Quare (1648-1724) rose from obscure and apparently humble origins in Somerset to become one of the most illustrious clockmakers of England's golden age of horology.
Shown here is a 2.3m high (not including finials) Queen Anne burr walnut three-month duration longcase clock. Hutchinson Scott says: “The clock has come from Northern Clocks who purchased it from a private collection where it had been in the same family since 1948.”
Estimate: £15,000-25,000.
Bid for the Daniel Quare Queen Anne burr walnut three-month duration longcase clock via thesaleroom.com.
Join the skeleton crew
William IV month duration patent helix lever skeleton clock c.1840 by Charles MacDowall - estimate £8000-12,000 at Hutchinson Scott on January 7.
This unusual-looking beast is a rare William IV month duration patent helix lever skeleton clock c.1840 by Charles MacDowall.
MacDowall was apparently the first in England to produce a series of clocks using this system of gearing, says Hutchinson Scott. Although the great mechanical advantages of helical gearing were widely known by all those working within the engineering fields, clockmakers tended to rely on the traditional methods because of the great difficulty in making the helical shaped wheels and pinions to the necessary tolerances. MacDowall ingeniously retooled and created a line of high-quality skeleton clocks, all seemingly different, which took advantage of this method of gearing.
Estimate: £8000-12,000.
See thesaleroom.com to check out the Charles MacDowall William IV month duration patent helix lever skeleton clock c.1840.
Urn its keep
Mid-19th century French ormolu and ‘Sevres’ porcelain mounted revolving urn clock - estimate £5000-8000 at Hutchinson Scott on January 7.
If ‘ornate’ is your thing, try this mid-19th century French ormolu and ‘Sevres’ porcelain mounted revolving urn clock estimated at £5000-8000.
It bears a maker's stamp for Japy Freres and is numbered 1636.
Bid for the French ormolu and ‘Sevres’ porcelain mounted revolving urn clock on thesaleroom.com.
Time, gentlemen (and ladies) please
John Tickell tavern clock - estimate £6000-8000 at Hutchinson Scott on January 7.
Large walls to fill? Bid for this rare early 18th century lacquered chinoiserie tavern clock, the tapering trunk with a bombe shaped base and fitted lenticle.
The clock by John Tickell, Crediton, is described as ‘of large size’. Yep: the dial alone comes in at 2ft 10in. Overall it measures a hefty 1.65m high x 86cm wide.
Estimate: £6000-8000.
View the early 18th century lacquered chinoiserie tavern clock on thesaleroom.com.
