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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

Burr walnut month-going longcase clock

Partially verified

This month-going longcase clock is attributed to Thomas Tompion of London, numbered 385 on the backplate. The case is constructed of burr walnut, featuring a hood surmounted by a large lacquered brass ball finial on a pedestal, flanked by smaller finials. The trunk houses a door veneered in six panels of book-matched burr walnut, while the base rests on a plinth with ebonized moulded block feet. The 12-inch square gilt brass dial, signed "THO: TOMPION LONDINI FECIT", displays a silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with a matted center, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a date aperture. The weight-driven movement features six knopped and latched pillars, a bolt-and-shutter maintaining power, and an anchor escapement. The clock strikes on a bell, managed by an outside countwheel, and includes the pendulum and brass-cased weights.

Full view of the burr walnut month-going longcase clock.
Full view of the burr walnut month-going longcase clock. — Bonhams / Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
Thomas Tompion
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
204825900
Source-reported date
early 18th century
Source-reported place
London
Source-reported serial
385

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

The clock is housed in a burr walnut case measuring approximately 2.52 meters in height. The hood is topped with a large lacquered brass ball finial on a central pedestal, with four smaller matching finials on pedestals framing the caddy. The case incorporates silk-backed sound frets on the hood, with the main trunk door featuring six panels of book-matched burr walnut veneers. The base of the clock stands on a plinth supported by ebonised moulded block feet.

The sides of the case feature glazed panels, and the trunk sides are inlaid with burr panels within feather-banded borders. The base section continues the decorative theme with lively veneers and cross-banding, while internal chiseled marks R and L are found on the ebonised feet.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case surmounted by a large lacquered brass ball finial”
  • “The trunk with 42 inch long door veneered in six panels of book-matched burr veneers”
  • “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)”

Dial and Timekeeping

The 12-inch square gilt brass dial is signed "THO: TOMPION LONDINI FECIT" along its lower edge. The dial is decorated with silvered Indian mask spandrels and foliate engraving. It features a silvered chapter ring with Roman and Arabic numerals, alongside a finely matted center, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a chamfered date aperture with pin-hole adjustment. Fine blued steel hands indicate the time.

The movement is weight-driven and secured to the frontplate with four latched dial feet. It incorporates six heavy knopped and latched pillars, reversed trains, and bolt-and-shutter maintaining power. The going train utilizes an anchor escapement with a long steel crutch and a pendulum with an engraved rating nut on a brass-faced bob. The strike mechanism operates with a large outside countwheel that triggers a steel hammer against a bell.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 12 inch square gilt brass dial engraved by 'graver 195 and framed by silvered double-screwed Indian mask spandrels”
  • “signed along the lower edge THO: TOMPION LONDINI FECIT”
  • “The weight driven movement with substantial plates united by six heavy knopped and latched pillars”

Provenance and Marks

The movement is identified by the number 385, which is punch-numbered on the lower central edge of the backplate. The dial is attributed to 'graver 195, based on the engraving work. Additionally, an L-shaped bracket is attached to the upper right corner of the backplate to provide stability by locating into the backboard of the case.

The auction description reports that the clock is sold with its original pendulum and brass-cased weights. The attribution remains subject to independent confirmation of the type, as noted by the auction house in their description of the object.

Evidence for this section
  • “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.”
  • “Attribution and measurements describe the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.”

Open research questions

  • Is the movement serial number 385 consistent with known production records for Thomas Tompion?
  • Can the case construction be independently verified as being contemporaneous with the movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Burr walnut month-going longcase clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerThomas Tompion“Thomas Tompion, London, No. 385”
Serial number385“The lower central edge of the backplate punch numbered 385.”
Dial dimensions12 inch square“The 12 inch square gilt brass dial”
MaterialBurr walnut“burr walnut”
Movement pillarsSix knopped and latched“six heavy knopped and latched pillars”
Height2.52m“2.52m (8ft 3ins) high”
EscapementAnchor“going side with anchor escapement”

Visible details

  • Case features book-matched burr walnut veneer panels
  • Dial includes silvered Indian mask spandrels
  • Movement equipped with bolt-and-shutter maintaining power
  • Pendulum terminates in a brass-faced bob

Research qualifications

  • Independent authentication of the movement and case attribution remains required
  • The source notes that type classification is not fully established

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Burr walnut month-going longcase clock

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 9bbbb4547d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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