Burr walnut month-going longcase clock

An exceptional early 18th century burr walnut month-going longcase clock Thomas Tompion, London, No. 385 The case surmounted by a large lacquered brass ball finial raised on a pedestal framed by shaped side pieces over a concave moulding above the main four-sided convex caddy framed by four proportionally smaller matching finials on pedestals, the lower section set with a silk backed sound fret to the front, all set on an impressive overhanging stepped cornice and with matching sound frets to three sides, raised on brass-mounted Doric three-quarter and quarter-columns, with long glazed panels to the sides.

The trunk with 42 inch long door veneered in six panels of book-matched burr veneers, all framed by an intricate moulded edge, with brass escutcheon, the sides similarly inlaid with burr panels within feather banded borders, the base with lively veneers within cross banding, all raised on a plinth base, further supplied with ebonised moulded block feet (chisel-marked R and L). The 12 inch square gilt brass dial engraved by 'graver 195 and framed by silvered double-screwed Indian mask spandrels separated by foliate engraving and signed along the lower edge THO: TOMPION LONDINI FECIT, the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with cross half-quarter marks outside of the minute ring, and with meeting arrow-head half-hour markers emanating from the inner quarter hour track, framing a finely matted centre with large subsidiary seconds dial, and deeply chamfered date aperture with pin-hole adjustment, with fine blued steel hands.

Secured to the frontplate with four latched dial feet. The weight driven movement with substantial plates united by six heavy knopped and latched pillars, with reversed trains and bolt-and-shutter maintaining power; the going side with anchor escapement (with commensurate cut out in the backplate) to a long steel crutch and pendulum terminating in a brass-faced bob with engraved rating nut, the strike with large outside countwheel actuating the steel hammer acting on the bell above (the latter secured by a typical facetted brass retaining nut).

The lower central edge of the backplate punch numbered 385. An L-shaped bracket to the upper right hand corner of the backplate locating into the backboard of the case for increased stability. Ticking and striking, sold together with the pendulum and brass-cased weights.