Thomas Tompion No.168. An ebony quarter repeating table clock, London, circa 1690

Auction Closed

July 6, 02:09 PM GMT

Estimate

80,000 - 120,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Thomas Tompion No.168. An ebony quarter repeating table clock

London, circa 1690

8-inch latched dial with unusual foliate spandrels to the lower corners and signed along the lower edge Tho: Tompion Londini Fec, finely matted centre with mock pendulum aperture, the upper corners with subsidiary regulation and strike/silent dials divided by foliate engraving, the fusee movement with seven latched, knopped and ringed pillars, verge escapement with rise and fall regulation, rack striking on a bell and with Tompion's pull quarter repeating on a further bell via inconnecting levers on the backplate (one lever now missing), the backplate finely engraved with foliate scrolls and swags held by metamorphic dophins, signed in a reserve Thomas Tompion Londini Fecit, numbered along the lower edge 168, the case with domed top and gilt carrying handle, moulded base and later block feet

38cm 15in high

Probably purchased by General Charles Churchill of Minterne Magna, Dorset (1656-1714), brother of John, 1st Duke of Marlborough. A distinguished soldier, he became Lieutenant of the Tower of London and Governor of Guernsey. Charles Churchill inherited the lease of the Estate of Minterne Magna from his father in 1688 and proceeded to much improve the manor house. On his death in 1714 he left the estate to his widow Mary who, on her death in 1757, left it to her cousin, Nicholas Gould. It remained in the Gould family until 1768 when the lease of the estate and contents of the house were acquired by Admiral Robert Digby. On Digby's death in 1815 it was inherited by his nephew Sir Henry Digby, thence by descent to the presnt owner.