Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

300 year old antique clock could sell for £30,000 at auction

For Immediate Release

1st November 2007

An antique clock which is nearly 300 years old could sell for up to £30,000 at a clocks and barometers auction in Birmingham.

The one off sale is happening at Fellows & Sons on Tuesday 13th November 2007.

The clock was made in 1710, possibly by Charles Clay, who later made the clock over the gateway at St James’s Palace.

It is one of of 118 barometers and antique clocks for sale on the day.

Managing partner Stephen Whittaker said: “To say this clock is stunning is an understatement. It is an important and rare piece and one of the many highlights of this sale.”


The clock is an English Queen Anne walnut and mahogany marquetry inlaid and gilt ormolu mounted long case clock.

It was produced for the Dutch market by Clay of London.

This is thought to be the work of Charles Clay, who later took a shop in the Strand in 1720, and was made the clockmaker in His Majesty’s Board of Works in 1723. He held the position till his death in 1740.

The clock has a triple weight driven movement striking the quarter and passing hours on eight graduated bells.

The face has extra dials to show the day, date, moon phase, astrological saint of the day and the position of the planets in relation to the zodiac God of the month.

Fellows & Sons is 131 years old and does its sales in modern auction rooms in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

Thanks to a heavy investment in internet technology, anyone across the world can listen to the auction and make live bids for the clocks and antique barometers.

You can view the full online catalogue here.