Here, Hansons’ antiques valuer Scott Markham picks out three timepieces that excelled in our May 2020 Fine Art Auction. To arrange a free valuation of a clock, please email Charles Hanson – [email protected] – or drop into our open-air, safe valuation facility at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire DE65 6LS, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm, or Sat, 9am-noon.
Lot 3014 | Est: £3,000-£5,000 | Sold for £5,200
This fine William III figured walnut eight-day longcase clock by Richard Baker of London, circa 1690, flew above its top estimate at auction. The handsome timepiece has a moulded cornice with floral fretwork above barley twist columns, a 10inch brass dial with silvered roman numeral chapter ring, subsidiary seconds, date aperture, cherub face mounted spandrels, signed engraving of Richard Baker, London, cushioned moulded panel door, moulded skirt on a plinth base, two weights, pendulum, door key and key winder.
Richard Baker is recorded in Brian Loomes’ The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain as being apprenticed through the Blacksmiths Company to John Chatfield before transferring to Richard Browne in 1683. He gained his Freedom of the Clockmakers Company by redemption by order of the Lord Mayer in 1685. He is described as a ‘great clockmaker’ and took on many apprentices including Peter Garon in 1687.
Scott Markahm says: “This clock’s high valuation was down to the pedigree of the clockmaker. Richard Baker learned from the best early clock makers and taught many successful apprentices like Peter Garon. Baker was known for early walnut and laburnum oyster clocks during the William III and Queen Anne period. This clock came from a wonderful home our Head of Fine Arts, Adrian Rathbone, visited in Sutton Coldfield and was originally sourced by a keen clock collector.”
Lot 3001 | Est: £400-600 | Sold for £2,600
This miniature tortoiseshell bracket timepiece, of Georgian design, was hugely attractive to the eye. Made in circa 1780, it has a caddy top with white metal swing handle and flame finials, 7cm square brass dial with silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and mas spandrels, single fusee mechanism, on a matching wall bracket which slides into the back.
Scott Markham says: “Tortoiseshell items are selling well at auction like. This clock, circa 1780, is in amazing condition considering it is around 240 years old. It came to us complete with its oak case and was discovered in the West Midlands.”
Lot 3011 | Est: £300-500 | Sold for £1,300
An early 20th Century Eureka electro-magnetic bracket clock, glazed case, Arabic numeral dial, bi-metal balance with coil and adjustment screws, raised plinth, height 27cm.
Scott Markham says: “I love the scientific principle behind this clock which was made around about 1910 before electric or battery-powered clocks were being manufactured. This clock was discovered at a free valuation event in Lichfield.”
