18/06/2026 General News, Latest News
Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers proudly presents the remarkable and deeply personal collection of the late David Barker, a man whose life was defined by precision, craftsmanship and creativity.
The Summer Fine Interiors Auction at Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers features the remarkable collection of the late David Barker, a man whose interests brought together the worlds of horology, motorcycles and art.
A Fellow of the British Horological Institute, David Barker was widely respected for his mastery in clock conservation. Over the course of his career, he was entrusted with restoring some of the nation’s most treasured timepieces. His expertise, paired with an unwavering appreciation for quality, is reflected throughout his private collection.
Yet Barker was far more than a horologist. His interests extended into motorcycles, local Yorkshire art and his own modern impressionist paintings. His estate offers a rare opportunity to explore the many facets of a man whose passions were as intricate as the mechanisms he worked with.
Barker’s horological collection is a testament to his eye for craftsmanship and historical significance. Each piece has been carefully preserved, with many retaining original components and exhibiting the kind of authenticity collectors value deeply.
Estimate £3,000 – £5,000
This spectacular longcase clock is a standout example of provincial craftsmanship. The burr walnut case, with its pine carcass, appears original to the movement, an increasingly rare pairing. The eight-day weight-driven movement remains complete and is accompanied by its original brass-cased weights and pendulum.
William Tipling of Kirkgate, Leeds, is listed in Loomes’ Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World as active from 1692 until his death in 1712, and was possibly apprenticed to John Williamson.
Estimate £2,000 – £3,000
This elegant longcase clock features a moulded top hood with carved frieze and gilt-capped columns. The 11-inch brass dial, with gilt cherub spandrels and silvered chapter ring, fronts an eight-day movement striking on a bell. It is a fine example of late 17th-century London craftsmanship.
Hindley (Henry) York, a George II Cuban mahogany 8-day longcase clock
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000
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William Prevost, Newcastle. A late 17th century ebonised longcase clock
Estimate £1,000 - £1,500
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Thomas Lister, Luddenden. A George III figured mahogany longcase clock with moonphase
Estimate £1,000 - £1,500
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James Mitchell, London. A George III figured mahogany verge bracket clock
Estimate £1,000 - £1,500
View lotGuilmet, Paris. A late 19th century French black and gilt brass industrial beam engine automaton mantel clock under glass dome
Estimate £1,000 - £1,500
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John Greaves, Newcastle. A George II figured walnut tidal longcase clock
Estimate £800 - £1,200
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Binns of Halifax. An 18th century oak 30-hour 8" dial verge longcase
Estimate £600 - £800
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Guyenot, Paris. A 19th century French patinated bronze and ormolu figural mantel clock
Estimate £300 - £500
View lotBarker’s fascination with mechanical harmony extended naturally from clocks to motorcycles. Though vastly different in scale, both rely on perfect synchronisation: escapements and gears in clocks; valves, pistons and timing mechanisms in engines.
Historically, the worlds of horology and motorcycling have overlapped. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, chronometers were frequently used to time motorcycle hill climbs and track sessions. Barker’s collection reflects this shared lineage of engineering excellence.
Beyond mechanics, Barker had a deep appreciation for local Yorkshire artists and was an artist himself. His collection spans still life, abstraction, portraiture and landscape, offering a rich survey of Northern artistic talent.
Lot 878
Expressive abstract oil painting revealing a side rooted in colour, emotion and movement rather than mechanical precision.
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Lot 872
Expressive abstract oil painting from Barker’s private collection of works.
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Lot 977 - 20th Century Oil on Board
Born in Saltaire and trained at Bradford School of Art, Firth spent much of her life painting still lifes before moving into abstraction.
Lot 975 - Gentian & Majolica
A Leeds School of Art alumna and member of the Lakes Artists Society, admired for her delicate handling of colour and form.
Lot 887
A celebrated landscape and figure painter who studied at the Slade and Bradford School of Art.
Lot 976
A celebrated landscape and figure painter who studied at the Slade and Bradford School of Art.
Lot 971
A Leeds-born painter and printmaker, Graham trained under Sir Frank Brangwyn and became a leading figure in the Yorkshire Artists and the Society of Sussex Painters.
Lot 880
A Leeds-born painter and printmaker, Graham trained under Sir Frank Brangwyn and became a leading figure in the Yorkshire Artists and the Society of Sussex Painters.
Lot 891 — Industrial Landscape
Purchased from the City of Wakefield Art Gallery, this work reflects Whitehead’s deep connection to Yorkshire’s industrial heritage.
The collection also includes works by Joseph Pighills, Mary Lord and several Scottish artists.
David Barker’s collection is more than a group of objects; it is a portrait of a man who valued precision, beauty and the stories behind the things he loved.
From the rhythmic heartbeat of a longcase clock to the roar of a vintage motorcycle and the quiet poetry of a Yorkshire landscape, his estate offers something truly special for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
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