The Artistry of Thomas Cole

It has been a privilege to service and repair approximately 40 clocks crafted by the masterful Thomas Cole over the past two decades. I am deeply grateful to John Hawkins, the esteemed author of Thomas Cole and Victorian Clockmaking in 1975, for providing me with the opportunity to work on these exceptional and rare pieces. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the beauty and skill of this talented clockmaker.

Born in Nether Stowey, Somerset, England, in 1800, Thomas Cole was the son of clockmaker James and Catherine Cole and most likely learned the trade from his father. His older brother, James Ferguson Cole (1798-1880), was also a clockmaker of high calibre.

Thomas Cole described himself as a designer and maker of ornamental clocks, and you will see from the clock photos that this accurately describes his work. He used various materials to make his clocks, from marble, stone, porcelain, and exotic timbers, all made to the highest quality.

After servicing and repairing about 40 different Thomas Cole clocks, I would now class myself as an expert on his work. As a clockmaker, his dedication to detail and quality has inspired me to be equally committed in all my handcrafted pieces. Thomas Cole has been a massive inspiration to me.

© Graham Mulligan, November 2024. 

See: The Hawkins Pictorial Survey of Cole Clocks in Two Parts by John Hawkins for an incredibly detailed history of the Cole family and timepieces.

References: Ancestry: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 14 March 1798 [James Ferguson Cole], 17 March 1800 [Thomas Cole].