THOMAS TOMPION. A WALNUT MONTH-GOING LONGCASE CLOCK, LONDON, CIRCA 1680 |

10-inch latched dial with double wheatear border, signed along the lower edge Tho Tompion Londini Fecit, winged cherub spandrels, finely matted centre with subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture, the movement with six latched, knopped and ringed pillars, reversed five wheel trains, anchor escapement, bolt and shutter maintaining power, external locking plate striking on a bell, pendulum replaced, the probably associated Tompion case with flat top, moulded cornice and spiral pilasters to the formerly rising hood, the rectangular trunk door with later lenticle and numbered on the inner edge 95, the inner surface with a very distressed copy of Tompion's equation table, the re-built plinth with moulded base and bun feet

The back of the dial scratched "Lord S(h)aftesbury, 50 Portland Place". Presumably descended from 5th Earl of Shaftesbury, 1761-1811, through his daughter Lady Barbara Ashley Cooper, who married Hon. Wm. Ponsonby, 1st Lord de Mauley, to their 2nd son Hon. Ashley Ponsonby Capt. Grenadier Guards, J.P., D.L., M.P. for Cirencester 1852-57 and 1859-65, b. 1831-1898, from whose house in Berkely Square, it was bought with a quantity of 'junk' for 30/- by Phineas Lazarus, one of the best Hebrews that ever attended a sale - always poor", in the words of W.E. Hurcomb, dealer and auctioneer, who was asked £2 for the clock but paid £8, restored it, and subsequently accepted Oswald Smith's offer of £30

Inventory of the Property of Guy O. Smith at Shottesbrooke Park, 1928, vol. I, 'Front Hall / Grandfather Clock by Thomas Tompson [sic] in walnut case'

Dial in good clean restored condition, re-gilded, hands replaced. Movement is complete but would benefit from a clean and fresh oil, escape wheel and pallets replaced, going train great wheel and barrel replaced. Case is probably associated and has been heavily restored, seat board replaced, hood now converted to front sliding, later movement supporting bracket, inner case sides cut to accommodate pendulum swing, plinth completely re-built and with vertical crack to the centre, later lenticle to the trunk door, re-polished and repaired with later simulated figuring in black, other old scuffs, marks and minor losses throughout. Withy replaced pendulum, two brass-cased weights, winder and case key.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Thomas Tompion (1639-1713), the greatest of English clockmakers was born the son of a blacksmith in the parish of Northill, Bedfordshire. 

There is no record of Thomas Tompion serving as an apprentice in a clockmaker's workshop but in 1671 he was admitted to the Clockmakers' Company in London as a `Brother' and two and a half years later was made a 'Free Clockmaker upon Redemption' and allowed to set up his own workshop and take apprentices. During this important year he moved into an influential circle where he met Robert Hooke and John Flamsteed who introduced him to the distinguished scientists of the day, the nobility and King Charles II.

Shortly after 1680 Tompion devised a numbering system for all the clocks and watches that he made and this was continued after his death by his successor George Graham. Thomas Tompion died in 1713 and an indication of the high esteem in which he was held during his lifetime was demonstrated by his burial in Westminster Abbey.  The movement of the present clock is un-numbered and dates to circa 1680.  The case is numbered 95 and also has a very distressed copy of Tompion's equation table on the inside of the trunk door. Quite when the movement was fitted to this case is impossible to say.