Rare Miniature Masterpiece Clock Heads to Market!

D. Thomas Miniatures is thrilled to announce that the rare museum-quality miniature longcase grandfather clock crafted by master miniaturist Neil Bateson and expertly restored by master craftsman Iulia Chin Lee is currently on the market for sale. Link below to contact proprietor Darren Scala of D. Thomas Miniatures for more information or call 914-548-1984.

This fine English 18th century-style miniature hardwood clock was built in England, signed by the maker who indicated "England No1," dated 1999 and was inspired by the fine mahogany longcase clock constructed by John Taylor (London c1780). The Bateson clock is constructed in 1/12 scale and measures 8 3/8” tall by 7/8” at the widest point (hood) and was crafted using oak and veneered book-matched Amboyna burl wood with walnut cross-banding on the trunk base, door, and sides.

The pagoda-topped hood has intricate fretwork detailing with walnut cross-grained molding over the arch. The glazed door is Amboyna as is the face board, immediately behind the door which opens to reveal a clock face with a broken arch moon phase atop. The clock has a minute and second ring, a date aperture, and features pillars made from walnut and finished with 23 ¾ gold leaf. Each number on the clock face is fully engraved and filled with hard black wax with working hour and minute hands. While this piece was crafted with a working clock mechanism, the movement has not been tested and Scala has not determined if the clock is functioning, although there is no reason to believe it not operable.

This clock is one of two of Mr. Bateson's clocks included in the estate of Jerry and Claire Buckalter, of Suffern, New York, who curated an extensive collection of some of the world’s finest art miniatures. The estate sold at an auction by D. Thomas Fine Miniatures in Fall 2021. Prior to the auction, this Bateson clock was discovered damaged, with 2 of its gold-leafed finals broken off from its hood, and the hood was missing a pair of wood runners to hold the top in place.

Award-winning IGMA Artisan Iulia Chin of Chin Lee Miniatures, best known for her intricate wood turnings and 1/12 scale period furniture, was engaged by Darren Scala in 2022 to repair the clock and return it to its original finery. After more than a year of development and execution, the ball and spine finials on top of the pagoda were recreated and reconstructed, with hand-turned rosewood decorated in 23k gold. Ms. Chin spared no attention to detail; she even recreated the center finial to be slightly larger than the two finials flanking each side of the hood. Chin details her work in this video:

An extensive provenance arrives with this piece including letters from Mr. Bateson to the Buckalters, together with detailed drawings and instructions on how to handle the clock.

Original Photos and letters from the artist are part of the provenance.

Now that the clock has now been expertly restored, D. Thomas Miniatures is pleased to make it available and to find it a new home! Interested buyers may click the link below to send an inquiry or call proprietor Darren Scala at 914-548-1984. This is a very rare chance to own an example of a rare museum-quality miniature to add to an adored collection.