Clocks have been created for hundreds of years by master artisans using skills that may be considered nearly extinct today. Courtesy of LAPADA we got a chance to take a tour of members’ galleries on Kensington Church Street and learn directly from leading specialized dealers about the creation of the wonderful antique clocks.
The tour was led by LAPADA CEO Freya Simms and started at Butchoff Antiques and continues down the street to Sandberg Antiques, Howard Walwyn Antique Clocks, and numerous more LAPADA members' galleries.
Butchoff Antiques has a global reputation, with showrooms on London's iconic Kensington Church Street and at the Palm Beach Design Center. Their services include sourcing, assisting in the development of world-class collections, appraisals, and coordinating delivery and shipment. They work directly with customers and prominent interior designers and decorators from across the world.
One of the clocks showcased was the Jubilee Clock. When the clock strikes, beautiful bells ring forth. Because the dome is airtight, it only has to be lubricated every five to ten years. It is the only one in the world and is worth £185,000.
Another of the clockmakers with countable antique clocks that we came across was the Thomas Cole. Their masterfully crafted pieces make distinct and accurate motions inside the domes.
We learnt that Thomas Cole makes the clocks but they're branded by other stores. We also came across numerous antique artefacts.
Next, we visited Howard Walwyn. Howard Wayne is a famous expert dealer in English antique clocks from the 17th century to the mid-nineteenth century who has won several awards. His gallery is in the heart of Kensington Church Street in West London, and he has routinely shown at major international antiques shows in both London and New York.
In their gallery or on the internet, interested buyers are bound to find clocks by Thomas Tompion, the Knibb family, George Graham, Daniel Quare, the Vulliamys, Dent, and Frodsham, among others.
On the other hand, Patrick Sandberg, a family-owned and operated company with over 30 years of expertise, has one of the most extensive collections of superb 18th Century Georgian and early 19th Century Regency era English Antique Furniture in Central London, with stores on Kensington Church Street.
Freya also shared some eye-opening information on how her organisation works. LAPADA was the first antiques trade organisation to establish a Code of Practice, with the goal of assuring the public and instilling trust in those who buy from members. In addition to the Code of Practice's protection, all art and antiques dealers must follow consumer protection regulations.
It turned out to be such a wonderful tour and it was great to see and hear more about the amazing antique clocks, and to meet the clockmakers who make them.
