The time is right to delve into the market for antique clocks

Next week’s major antiques fair in Harrogate is an opportunity to see a wonderful range of quality artefacts with the chance to discuss values with experienced dealers.

Prices can be compared to see which subjects make for a good ‘alternative’ return to more traditional sectors and to keep contents cover up to date.

If a claim is made and under-insurance is evident, the expected payment may be substantially reduced.

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British-made antique clocks rightly enjoy a global reputation.

The key period is 1660-1750, often referred to as the Golden Age of Clockmaking, which runs from the earliest pendulum table or bracket clock to the death of maker George Graham in 1751.

Despite rising prices for the star names, Nigel Raffety of noted London dealers Raffety & Walwyn says “there is a lot of future potential”.

On the investment side, there is a real carrot provided by HM Revenue & Customs. They regard clocks as wasting assets and profits are free of capital gains tax.

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At the top end of the market, prices have jumped dramatically. Anthony Woodburn, a leading dealer, paid £250,000 in 1985 for the Medici Tompion.

It sold for £2.5m 20 years later and he estimates it will have risen by at least £500,000 in the last six years. This though is an extreme example.

Top flight London clockmakers’ masterpieces are rightly expensive but still moderate in cost by comparison with art by the leading court painters of the same period. They were revered by their royal and aristocratic patrons.

The patronage of Charles I and II, together with William of Orange, was significant in promoting scientific study and the arts with clocks frequently commissioned as diplomatic gifts.

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Tennants of Leyburn last month sold a James II ebony-veneered table clock by John Knibb, circa 1685, for £75,000 plus 17.5 per cent buyer’s premium whilst their estimate was just £25,000-£35,000. The timepiece was one of the earliest forms of quarter-repeating and sold to a private bidder.

Any clocks made by the Knibb family command significant prices.

Samuel established his trade in London c1625 but his cousin and apprentice, Joseph was far more prolific. John was the younger brother and Peter his cousin.

Thomas Tompion was the other great clockmaker in the late 17th century. Today one of his basic timepieces costs over £200,000 and a good table clock or longcase at least £300,000.

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The demand is far greater for smaller – such as bracket, English carriage and wall clocks – than longcase.

“I know of no better time than the present to buy a good London-made marquetry longcase clock from the 17th century, which can be bought for around £30,000,” tips Mr Woodburn.

Sotheby’s have seen a dramatic increase in prices for such former undervalued makers as John Ellicott, Thomas Mudge, William Dutton and Benjamin Vulliamy. An Ellicott walnut table clock has risen from £12,000-£18,000 in 1990 to £30,000-£40,000 now, says their specialist, Jonathan Hills.

Quality also affects price, says Jamie Collingridge of Christie’s. A relatively ordinary Daniel Quare makes £20,000-£ 40,000 at auction but his finer clocks up to £100,000, double in price over a decade.

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Fromanteel is also a name to seek. He was the first maker in Britain to use a pendulum to regulate clockwork, announcing the development in 1658. Bonhams, who regularly auction quality clocks, sold an ebony bracket clock attributed to him for £692,000.

Mr Raffety recommends seeking high quality clocks by apprentices of the few famous names and lesser known London makers. Often the cases were from the same furniture makers as for the top flight examples.

Two apprentices of the Knibb family were Samuel Aldworth and Edmund Massey. Raffety offers an example by each which are half the price of a Knibb: an olivewood and gilt mounted bracket timepiece and a small striking lantern clock respectively.

Good examples from the fashionable cities of the 18th century – such as York and Bath – are really sought after but they are the exceptions among provincial clocks, which have not fared as well as their London counterparts.

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Henry Hindley, who worked in York in the mid to late 18th century, and Thomas Ogden of Halifax have seen their longcases rise one-third in 10 years but table clocks by over 50 per cent. Go for more complicated mechanisms, such as quarter-chiming, tip Christie’s.

Butchoff Antiques will bring a Regency London bracket clock by W and M Morice, c1810, to Harrogate. It is mahogany in the Romano-Egyptian manner and costs £6,800, up from £4,000 a decade ago.

Among the wall clocks to be shown by Edward Burd is a rare striking example by the celebrated makers Allam and Caithness (approx £9,000).

His star bracket clock is a George III example by Hawkins of London (£5,500), whilst for the unusual, do not miss a mid 19th century night watchman’s clock.

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Mr Burd has noticed a major demand for Oriental-looking clocks.

Made from the 18th century onwards specifically for export to the Far East and India, they are highly complicated and usually ornate with automata, which perform tricks at the striking of the hour, particularly at 12 o’clock.

Millington Adams have a bracket clock by Jacobus Hassenius, a Russian émigré working in London around 1690.

At that time he was making for Peter the Great and was subsequently invited by the tsar to return with him in 1698.

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An unusual piece of oak furniture with a clock built into it, known as a clock dresser, will be shown by Mike Melody. In its original condition with good colour, it is signed W H Griffiths of Bishops Castle, who was working in 1840. Priced at £12,750, Mr Melody says The National Trust also owns a matching 30-hour longcase example.

Originality and provenance are keys to high value. Do not be afraid to ask what work, if any, has been undertaken. It would be unusual if some restorative work had not taken place over two or more centuries but it should be in proportion.

Watch for 19th century clocks ‘improved’ to their detriment, quite apart from faked examples or clocks married from two versions.

Finally, Victorian regulators are slightly underpriced. They were well-made but the style does not fit many modern homes. At auction, expect to pay £4,000-£6,000 which “represents a good buy”, say Christie’s.

n The Harrogate Antique Fair at the Harrogate International Centre (Hall M) is open September 30 (2-9pm), October 1-2 (11-6), October 3 (11-8), October 4 (11-5).

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