Summer Fine Sale: Clocks Preview

Three fine examples of clockmaking are to be sold in Tennants Auctioneers’ Summer Fine Sale on 16^th and 17^th July. The earliest is a rare Brass Striking Lantern Clock, signed ‘Richard Beck at Ye French Church, Londini, circa 1655’, and is offered with an estimate of £4,000-5,000 (plus buyer’s premium). The first record of Beck dates from when he was apprenticed to John Selwood in May 1646 through the Clockmakers’ Company. After Selwood’s death in 1651, Beck’s apprenticeship was transferred to Thomas Loomes until 1653. Richard Beck’s career lasted just six years before he died at the early age of 27 in 1659, and only a handful of his lantern clocks are known today. All extant examples, including the present lot, are balance wheel clocks. All are finely made with excellent engraved dials with slight variations to the signature, the most common being ‘Near Ye French Church’ or ‘At Ye French Church’. The French Church was on Threadneedle Street and was built to serve the French Protestant community in London.

A Marquetry Eight Day Longcase Clock signed Edward Stanton, London, from the Golden Age of clockmaking is offered with an estimate of £5,000-7,000 (plus buyer’s premium). Made circa 1700, the clock features an 11-inch brass dial with a Roman numeral silvered chapter ring, silvered winged cherubs to the spandrels and a fine six pillar movement with an anchor escapement and outside countwheel striking on a bell. Edward Stanton was one of the finest 17^th century clockmakers in London. He started his apprenticeship in 1655, became a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1662, was made warden in 1693 and became a Master of the Clockmakers Company in 1696.

A rare and impressive limited edition Giant Chronometer Carriage Clock by Sinclair Harding is offered with an estimate of £6,000-8,000 (plus buyer’s premium). Of unusually large dimensions (stands at 41cm high), the clock was made circa 1998 and is marked as No. 554/22. Interesting features include a moonphase aperture and a platform detent chronometer escapement – marks of a quality precision instrument.

To enquiry about consigning clocks for this sale, contact Specialist Adam Wasdell

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