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Donnington Priory| 12 March 2015
Rare Joseph Knibb Clock Joins Movements by
Thomas Tompion in the Fine Clocks Sale at Dreweatts
Donnington Priory – An important and well documented early walnut eight-day longcase clock by Joseph
Knibb of London leads the 90 lot offering of Fine Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments to be sold
at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions, Donnington Priory on 17th March.
Estimated at £40,000-60,000 the fine, early example of Knibb's work is one of the
rarer small clocks by the eminent London maker, with a 9.5 inch square dial. It is
also one of the first to have been made with a movement demonstrating all of the
classic features one would hope to see in a clock from Knibb's workshop.
This rare small example was discovered in Oxfordshire in 1919 by the connoisseur
collector Richard Arnold before passing into the famous and well documented
collection of Walter Iden by 1938. After the War the clock was purchased direct
from Iden by Neville Rollason who kept it at Peplow Hall Shropshire until his death
in 1962. The current owner purchased it at the subsequent auction of his estate.
The clock is particularly well documented - first appearing in a publication of 1922
and is now presented in essentially the same condition as it was then [Lot 86].
The name Joseph Knibb is rarely mentioned without reference to his fellow
contemporary clock and watchmaker, Thomas Tompion. Clocks by Tompion are
generally very expensive hence are out of the reach of most. However those
looking to feature an example from his workshop in their collection may want to
consider a watch movement by him which are still relatively accessible.
Dreweatts have four such movements by Tompion - two by him working
alone and the other two signed in partnership with Edward Banger. All
were made at the height of his career and carry estimates starting at
£1,200 for an uncased timepiece movement signed by Tompion and
Banger [Lot 75].
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Donnington Priory| 12 March 2015
A James II ebony small basket top table
timepiece by Henry Jones
Est. £12,000-18,000 [Lot 88]
A Charles II small basket top table clock
by Charles Gretton
Est. £8,000-12,000 [Lot 84]
A William III ebony table clock by
Charles Gretton
Est. £4,000-6,000 [Lot 85]
Other clocks from the 'golden period' of English clockmaking in the sale include a fine small ebony baskettop table clock by the eminent maker Henry Jones estimated at £12,000-18,000 [Lot 88] and no less than
two examples by Charles Gretton. The first of these being a small early example dating to around 1680,
again with basket-top, and features a very rare form of early rack striking mechanism [Lot 84]. The second
is a little later in date (circa 1695) but very much retains the distinctiveness of his work [Lot 85]. Estimated
at £8,000-12,000 and £4,000-6,000 respectively these two clocks will no doubt be mentioned in a
forthcoming monograph on the maker.
For those with a preference for walnut, a fine William III table clock by John Boucheret of London may just
be the ticket. Due to the enduring fashion for ebony, walnut veneered table clocks are particularly rare, this
example is presented in fine condition and carries an estimate of £15,000-20,000 [Lot 89].
Clocks from later periods include an equally rare 'mulberry' veneered table clock by John Wady [Lot 81] and
a silver mounted ebony grande sonnerie table clock by Andrew Dunlop for Daniel Delander [Lot 82]. Both of
these fine examples date to around 1720 and carry estimates £8,00012,000 and £18,000-25,000 respectively.
Nineteenth century horology is also well represented by a gilt brass
giant carriage clock dating to the 1830's by the eminent partnership
Arnold and Dent. Retaining its original mahogany carrying box this
finely engineered piece of horology is estimated to realise £6,0008,000 [Lot 57].
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Donnington Priory| 12 March 2015
Those looking for something more decorative may want to consider the
fine engraved gilt brass hump-back carriage clock attributed to the
workshop of Thomas Cole estimated at £4,000-6,000 [Lot 58]. This rare
hour-striking example dates to around 1845 and exhibits the finest intense
engraved decoration typical of Coles best work.
The sale features several rare and interesting Continental clocks including
an early (circa 1600) Swiss iron chamber clock with rare moonphase and
day of the week indication estimated at £6,000-8,000 [Lot 60].
Heading the selective group of scientific instruments included in the sale
is a fine late 18th century pocket globe [Lot 1]. Measuring only 7 cm in
diameter this example is attributed to the eminent maker George Adams
junior and is complete with its original fishskin covered case lined with
celestial papers to inside. This rare object in fine original condition is
estimated to realise £2,000-3,000.
The Fine Clocks, Barometers & Scientific Instruments sale will be held at Dreweatts’ Donnington Priory on
Tuesday 17th March. The catalogue is available to view and download from www.dreweatts.com.
~Ends~
Auction Information:
Fine Clocks, Barometers & Scientific Instruments
Tuesday 17th March, 1pm
Donnington Priory
Oxford Road
Donnington
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 2JE
Viewing Information:
Saturday 14th March; 9.00am-12.30pm
Sunday 15th March; 10.00am-2.00pm
Monday 16th March; 9.00am-6.00pm
Day of sale from 8.30am
PRESS CONTACT: Harriette Moore | [email protected] |+44 (0)20 7499 7411
PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Donnington Priory| 12 March 2015
Notes:
Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions are a UK 'top 5’ auctioneer of fine art and collectibles. Together with fine art and
antique dealer Mallett PLC, we form The Fine Art Auction Group and are the only UK stock-exchange listed firm of
auctioneers (as part of The Stanley Gibbons Group PLC). Established in 1759, we have the broadest and most regular
calendar of specialist catalogued sales in the industry, numbering over 150 per annum, and provide vendors and buyers
alike access to market-leading specialist advice in any number of collecting fields. We operate from showrooms in
Donnington Priory (near Newbury), two locations in London’s Mayfair, Bristol and Godalming.
Images available upon request
Visit Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions’ website at www.dreweatts.com
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