William Tomlinson tall case clock. An early 18th-century arabesque marquetry Longcase clock. VV-136.
William Tomlinson of London was a master clockmaker and watchmaker. He was born about 1673, the son of Thomas Tomlinson of Crosmoore in Lancashire. He was a Quaker and married twice. His first marriage was to Mary Cheney of Spitalfields on November 14, 1699. Together they lived on Birch Lane. His second marriage was to Mary Lloyd of Aldersgate Street in 1721. By this time, William was living on Whitehart Court off Grace-church Street. He was a fine maker and is first recorded as a brother of the Clockmakers' Company in 1699, and as master on the 29th of September 1733. He was active in the trade and trained numerous apprentices over the years. In 1748, he worked as a finisher at Stoke Newington in London. He died on March 30, 1750, and was buried in Bunhill Fields on April 8, 1750. Tomlinson worked at several addresses in London over his lifetime. Some of them include Miles Lane, The Dial & Three Crowns, Birchin Lane, near the Royal Exchange; The Dial & Three Crowns, Whitehart Court off Grace-church Street, and Stoke Newington.
This fine case, standing approximately 89.5 inches tall and 21 inches wide, is a striking example of excellent proportions. Constructed in oak and veneered in richly figured walnut, this clock is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, made circa 1710.
The case is constructed in oak and is decoratively veneered in richly figured walnut. This case also features a highly complex inlaid decoration known as marquetry. In fact, this treatment is best described as an "arabesque" form. This dramatic and complex inlay pattern was all the rage in London from 1690 through about 1725 in longcase design. Separate pieces of wooden veneer, often colored, are laid out in decorative patterns. This outstanding example features long, vine-like, intersecting patterns laid out on the forward-facing surfaces of the case, including many of the moldings' shaped surfaces. Please note the uneven surface of this design, which is caused by the shifting of the oak substructure and the shrinkage of the veneer, a telltale sign that this case has age and is not a reproduction. This is a wonderful exhibition of woodworking skills.
This fine example stands flat on the floor, supported by an applied molding. The base is somewhat compressed compared to long case clocks of a later period. The waist is long and narrow, highlighting the case's excellent proportions. The waist door is quite large and fills the waist section. It is trimmed with applied molding and features a circular cutout in the center. This circular opening in the design is trimmed with a wooden ring and is fitted with glass. This window, measuring just over three inches in diameter, is called a "Lenticle." Its purpose is to allow one to view the motion of the brass-faced pendulum bob without opening the clock's door. It also informs the admirer that this clock is fitted with a long pendulum, which was considered new technology for the day. The sides of this case are decoratively finished. They are horizontally veneered in walnut and feature line inlaid panes. This was the tradition of many London cabinetmakers. The bonnet or hood is designed with a cornice molding. Large rectangular glass side lights are positioned on each side of the hood. The squared hood door is fitted with three-quarter, smoothly turned columns. These, along with the quarter columns located at the back of the case, terminate in shaped wooden Doric capitals.
The twelve-inch-square dial is brass and features decorative details, both engraved and applied. The raised silvered chapter ring is framed with heavily cast twin cherub and crown spandrels. They are positioned in the four corners. The chapter ring is engraved with black Roman numerals, divided by diamond-shaped half-hour markers, a separate minute ring outside the hours, and Arabic five-minute markers. It is signed on either side of VI o’clock Wm Tomlinson, London. The gilded matted dial centre has ringed winding and second holes, a square date aperture window, and a subsidiary seconds dial with a raised silvered ring. The finely formed steel hands displayed the time.
This weight-driven movement is constructed of brass. Five knob-and-finned posts support the two large rectangular brass plates. Steel shafts support the brass gearing. Both winding barrels are grooved. This movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The escapement is a recoil design and features a seconds-length pendulum. The strike train is governed by a rack striking system that strikes each hour on a large cast iron bell mounted on a stand above the movement. As for the construction of the works, this movement is of excellent quality. The fact that it survives today in excellent working order is proof of this.
This clock was made circa 1710. It stands approximately 89.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial. Measuring at the upper hood molding, the largest part of the case, this clock is approximately 21 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep.
Inventory number VV-138.
