Thomas & Cie, Paris

the clock with a brass plaque engraved with a quote from Henry IV, Part II, 'We have heard the chimes at midnight Master Shallow' and the date 'October 3rd 1945' (27cm., 10½in. high) together with a pair of Empire style white marble and gilt-metal vases, adapted as lamps (3)

Presented to Laurence Olivier (possibly a gift from Sir Ralph Richardson 1902–1983)

Photographed in the dining room at Durham Cottage, Chelsea before 1954;
Anthony Denney, ‘The Oliviers off stage’, House and Garden, May 1958, p. 65, illustrated in Vivien's dining room at Eaton Square, Belgravia.

Clock good but would benefit from a clean. Underside stamped 6928. Movement not tested. Lamps will require re-wiring.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. 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.
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."

This line of Shakespeare, said by Falstaff to Shallow in Henry IV, Part II, is a good one for a clock. The date that follows, October 3rd 1945, commemorates the opening night of John Burrell’s Henry IV Part Two at the Old Vic. Larry performed as Shallow, alongside Ralph Richardson’s Falstaff. As Shallow, Larry ‘threw across the stage a golden autumnal veil, and made the idle sporadic chatter of the lines glow with same kind of delight as Gray’s Elegy’. (Stanley Wells, quoted in James N. Loehlin, Henry IV: Parts I and II, 2008).

Philip Ziegler (op. cit., p.133) writes 'The two parts of "Henry IV" will be remembered above all for Richardson's Falstaff. No performance of any part can be definitive, but few indeed of those who saw him doubted that they were witnessing something which they could never hope to see rivalled in their lifetime.'