Thomas Tompion & Edward Banger, London No. 387 Circa 1703

An important Queen Anne type 3 burr walnut full Grande Sonnerie striking longcase clock.

Full Grande Sonnerie clocks strike at every quarter followed by the hour and are very rare. Thomas Tompion is known to have made just three numbered full Grande Sonnerie longcase clocks. The requirements of a Grande Sonnerie clock are very demanding as the hours train has to strike the bell 4,992 times during the course of eight days, compared to a conventional clock which has to strike the hour bell only 1,248 times.

This highly significant clock stands as the final of Tompion’s three extant numbered full Grande Sonnerie longcase clocks. The other two clocks are The Royal Exchange longcase No. 131, most likely ordered by William III, and longcase No. 275, which remains in the Royal Collection but is currently missing its quarter train. The dating of No. 387 circa 1703, suggests a Royal commission from Prince George of Denmark on the accession of his wife, Queen Anne.

Case

The superb ‘special’ commission walnut case of type 3 form. The dome top hood with brass ball finial, the top frieze above the cornice with extra step below being a unique feature to Tompion’s ‘special’ type 3 longcases with pierced wood sound frets to the front and sides. The lower frieze supported by brass Doric capitals to the columns flanking the hood door and matching quarter columns at the rear. The long trunk door veneered with burr walnut stamp numbered 387, 25 and 26 on the upper leading edge. A small number of Tompion’s cases have a secondary number.

Of the 21 known examples, 18 are longcase clocks and three table clocks. The three-train Grande Sonnerie series are the only “special” clocks that Tompion chose to number in his customary manner, with the addition of a repeated number to the front plate.

Dial

The 11 ½ inch gilt brass dial with finely matted centre with shuttered winding holes, silvered chapter ring with Roman hour numerals, sword hilt half hour marks and Arabic minutes, subsidiary seconds dial below XII and calendar aperture with pin hole adjustment above VI. Signed on an oval reserve Tho. Tompion Edw. Banger London, typically overlaid with a slightly later oval silvered plaque signed Tho: Tompion London. This was common practice on clocks that returned to the workshop for servicing after Edward Banger had left the partnership in circa 1707. Finely pierced and shaped blued steel hands. Further signed to the lower margin Tho: Tompion Londini Fecit.

Movement

The substantial full Grande Sonnerie eight day movement has six latched baluster pillars. Punch numbered at the bottom centre of the backplate and further numbered 387 at the bottom centre of the frontplate. The going train has an anchor escapement with bolt and shutter maintaining power operated via a lever at IX on the dial. The hours are sounded on a large bell with the quarters sounded on six graduated bells, with the option to reduce to one bell via the strike/silent selection lever at III on the dial. Tompion’s three-train series of Grande Sonnerie clocks represented a sequential progression from his spring-driven two-train Grande Sonnerie movements. The striking trains of all Tompions Grande Sonnerie clocks are trip-repeating, as they do not require any manual power to be induced by pulling the repeat cord. Brass rod pendulum with lenticular bob and calibrated rating nut, three brass cased weights.

Height 8 ft 3 ½ ins (252 cm)

POA

Email this clock to a friend