There are not many months when 8 tavern clocks are brought to market. Five were auctioned and three were on display at the BADA Fair in Chelsea. More on these in a moment.
Market sentiment is still buoyant at the top end of the clock market and some of the smaller fairs are getting good reports. Christies' March clock offering was described as frothy although there were no blockbusters. And yet.... the top end of the market does not necessarily mean that all is fine. At least not yet. Some of the economic indicators are showing glimmers of hope.
Following on from the massive Yves St Laurent record breaker the underbidders and other well-heeled punters were out in force at TEFAF Maastricht and at the Gianni Versace dispersal. Both reported success. Nearer home, the BADA fair, which Tavernicus attended, was graced by five top quality clock dealers offering the best of the best. Two dealers showed tavern clocks; Raffetty & Walwyn and Derek Roberts. R&W offerred a small lacquered white round dial by Plumley of London and a lacquered "banjo" by William Gammon of Hereford. DR offered an oak trunk white painted round dial by Knight of Stafford. Without doubt, the Gammon of Hereford was the star of the show with the finest print I have seen on a tavern clock door. The so-called barn find Vulliamy regulator longcase, sold by Bonhams in December 2008 was offered by Montpellier Clocks in a restrained restored form: very special, very expensive. Interestingly, Woolley & Wallis of Salisbury offered another similar architectural cased Vulliamy (not a regulator); it sold for over 3 times mid-estimate at £40k in what looks like showroom condition.
The other 5 taverns offered were all at auction, 3 in the USA and 2 in the UK. The three overseas offerings included a fine small black round dial by Henry Lane of Bristol in very original condition. Here in the UK, a walnut cased round dial, the latter lacquered in green and gilt signed, Finch of London, was sold by Wilkinson's at over £10k, inc premium. A vaguely similar clock sold three years ago. The last of the offerings was an unsigned octagonal dial which had been faux oaked all over the clock, both inside and out. Even the oak boards were faux painted. A very unusual two train offering which sold for £3k.
So you pays your money and you takes your pick. These taverns ranged in price from about £3k to £25k. The best and the rest!!!!
Tavernicus sold a white round dial. Replacing it on the Tavernicus for sale page is another lacquered white round dial by listed maker John Harris of Keninghall in Norfolk dated c.1780. Look out for it on www.tavernicus.co.uk
The month of April starts with an unsigned white round dial being auctioned with an interesting provenance, but more of that next time. Bye for now
Market sentiment is still buoyant at the top end of the clock market and some of the smaller fairs are getting good reports. Christies' March clock offering was described as frothy although there were no blockbusters. And yet.... the top end of the market does not necessarily mean that all is fine. At least not yet. Some of the economic indicators are showing glimmers of hope.
Following on from the massive Yves St Laurent record breaker the underbidders and other well-heeled punters were out in force at TEFAF Maastricht and at the Gianni Versace dispersal. Both reported success. Nearer home, the BADA fair, which Tavernicus attended, was graced by five top quality clock dealers offering the best of the best. Two dealers showed tavern clocks; Raffetty & Walwyn and Derek Roberts. R&W offerred a small lacquered white round dial by Plumley of London and a lacquered "banjo" by William Gammon of Hereford. DR offered an oak trunk white painted round dial by Knight of Stafford. Without doubt, the Gammon of Hereford was the star of the show with the finest print I have seen on a tavern clock door. The so-called barn find Vulliamy regulator longcase, sold by Bonhams in December 2008 was offered by Montpellier Clocks in a restrained restored form: very special, very expensive. Interestingly, Woolley & Wallis of Salisbury offered another similar architectural cased Vulliamy (not a regulator); it sold for over 3 times mid-estimate at £40k in what looks like showroom condition.
The other 5 taverns offered were all at auction, 3 in the USA and 2 in the UK. The three overseas offerings included a fine small black round dial by Henry Lane of Bristol in very original condition. Here in the UK, a walnut cased round dial, the latter lacquered in green and gilt signed, Finch of London, was sold by Wilkinson's at over £10k, inc premium. A vaguely similar clock sold three years ago. The last of the offerings was an unsigned octagonal dial which had been faux oaked all over the clock, both inside and out. Even the oak boards were faux painted. A very unusual two train offering which sold for £3k.
So you pays your money and you takes your pick. These taverns ranged in price from about £3k to £25k. The best and the rest!!!!
Tavernicus sold a white round dial. Replacing it on the Tavernicus for sale page is another lacquered white round dial by listed maker John Harris of Keninghall in Norfolk dated c.1780. Look out for it on www.tavernicus.co.uk
The month of April starts with an unsigned white round dial being auctioned with an interesting provenance, but more of that next time. Bye for now
