Longcase clock
Thomas Tompion (Northill Bedfordshire 1639 - London 1713)
Category
Horology
Date
1685
Materials
Walnut veneer, oak, glass, steel, brass, gilt-brass, bell-metal.
Measurements
213.5 x 43 x 27 cm
Order this imageCollection
Vyne Estate, Hampshire
NT 719093
Summary
8 day English longcase clock in walnut case by Thomas Tompion, London, c.1685 2 train, 6 pillar, latched movement with anchor escapement and bolt and shutter maintaining power, operated from behind dial. Internal count-wheel hour striking on bell. Brass pendulum rod. The movement backplate is punch-marked: “5” and “35” near the top left on the back. 10” square fire-gilt brass dial with wheatear engraving round the edge, and winged cherub spandrels, signed below VI: “Tho. Tompion Londini Fecit”. Silvered brass chapter ring with roman hour numerals and small arabic five-minute figures. Dagger half-hour markers and quarter hour circle, Seconds dial and square calendar aperture in matted dial centre. Fine blued steel hands. Walnut veneered case with oak carcass, the flat top rising hood with a carved cresting and twisted columns, and glazed panels to the sides. The plain rectangular trunk door has spoon locking for the hood and there is a square base with skirting below. The upper trunk door fore-edge is stamped: “35”. Note: The escapement is a later replacement. The case has had quite a bit of restoration, especially to the hood (including the frets and carved cresting) and the base, which originally had bun feet rather than the present skirting.
Makers and roles
Thomas Tompion (Northill Bedfordshire 1639 - London 1713), maker