REMARKABLE CLOCKS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 51, 1 March 1934, Page 22

REMARKABLE CLOCKS

LONDON EXHIBITION

A 'number of Britain's most famous' antique clocks were'on view in London in a recent exhibition. , More than 30 timepieces, all the work ,of Thomas Tompion, "Father of English' Clockmakers,^ showed that'telling the time was by no means their'sole function in those days. One of the outstanding exhibits was a grandfather clock in a beautiful walnut decorated ease. It was described as a special calendar clock evidently made for a scientific purpose about the year 1675. It gives the days of the week and of the month as well as tho time, but there are also two other unusual, movements." There is an outer ring round the dial which moves and gives the sun's time. In the centre of the- dial is a Tound brass plate .with triangulations engraved on it. It" is supposed that these give the state of the tide at London .Bridge, though at present these are about three hours wrong. • A very beautiful clock, lent by Lord Mostyn, was an historical one known as "The Silver King." This is said to have been made for "William 111- at a cost of £1500, a figure which represents a much'larger sum,today. It goes for a year with one winding and strikes the hours, and quarters. With this clock is a list of names of all those who have wound it each year for 150 years. This bracket clock is beautifully .decorated and has a figure of Britannia on'top and the Lion, Unicorn," Rose, and Thistle on the four corners. Other •uncommon, clocks included a "Grand Sonnerie" which strikes the hours and quarters and also the last hour, after . each quarter.: Another month-clock goes for that period on one •winding, but its unique feature is "A Table of Equation of Natural Days'' pasted inside the door of the clock case showing how much a clock or ' watch ought to be faster or slower than the sundial- on any day of the year. Tompion clocks mado by Thomas Tompion, who lived-.from 1639 to 1732, are known to experts all over the world, and the •whereabouts of most of them are also known,-though'now and then an unknown., specimen! comes .to light. Two experts, Mr. F. H. Green and Mr. Ernest Watkins, collaborated in gathering together this exhibition.