872/​177

Thomas Best, London c.1780

A fine George III six-tune mahogany musical clock, the domed top with hide and five gilt bronze finials, handles and elaborate frets to the sides, corners with caryatid columns, scrolling feet. Gilt bronze dial with corner ornaments, the arch with two small white enamel dials showing musical tune selection and strike-silent, plaque with full signature ‘Thomas Best, London’ above large dial with black Roman and Arabic numerals, openwork gilded hands, pull cord repeating the hours then the selected musical tune, six-pillar movement with verge escapement, plays the tunes on 10 bells and strikes the hours on one, the backplate is engraved with flowers and foliage. England, c. 1780. H. 67 cm. W. 41 cm. D. 28 cm.

Thomas Best was working at 3 Red Lion St, Clerkenwell, London from 1770 – 1794. He was renowned for his musical clocks both for the home market and export. He also made a large number of watches for the Dutch market.

Condition

Condition report on request. furniture@bruun-rasmussen.dk

No guarantee of the function of the clock work.

Auction

Varia, funiture & carpets, 31 May 2017

Category
Estimate

50,000–60,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

60,000 DKK