The Hanover Tompion, No. 417 circa 1704-8

32 inches

Turtleshell veneered breakarch case, topped by a figure of Apollo over a satyr mask with pierced gilt foliate drape beneath, flanked by four multi-piece urn finials above a foliate frieze with cherubs interrupted at the front by the gilt-brass breakarch, sides with pierced gilt foliate panels, the chamfered angles with caryatid brackets and acanthus corner volutes beneath, the gilt-brass moulded base on later scroll feet, possibly German.

7¾ by 11½ inch breakarch dial signed Tho Tompion London on a plaque covering THO TOMPION + [EDW BANGER] LONDINI FECIT, with engraved, gilt matted centre with mock pendulum aperture, double-screwed Minerva mask-and-foliage spandrels, standard silvered chapter-ring with silvered subsidiary dials, the left for pendulum regulation, the right engraved Son 6/Sil 6 Son 1/Sil 1. Sectoral apertures in the arch for weekday with appropriate deity and the date of the month.

Triple fusee latched seven-pillar movement with 8 by 9½ inch plates, pendulum suspended from brass regulation bar, quarters striking on one or six bells, hours on another bell. Trip quarter repeat via blued-steel double-cocked interconnecting levers on the profusely foliate engraved backplate signed THO TOMPION + EDW BANGER LONDINI FECIT in an octagon (G.195) and punch-numbered 417.

8-day.

Queen Anne.

George I, then given to his mistress, Ehrengard von der Schulenburg; left on her death in 1743 to their natural daughter, Petronella, wife of the famed 4th Earl of Chesterfield, and at her death in 1788 specifically left to her cousin, Reichsgraf Jebhard von der Schulenburg, of Wolfsburg.

Thence by family descent at Schloss Wolfsburg and sold Sotheby’s, London, 19th June 2003, lot 41.

Evans, Carter & Wright, Thomas Tompion 300 Years, 2013, p.404

Garnier & Carter, The Golden Age of English Horology, 2015, p.94-99.

Pivoted verge.