Denmark group The Denmark group is a set of high-end horological commissions made by Thomas Tompion and so named because they were probably commissioned by Tompion’s royal patron, Prince George of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Cumberland. The Denmark group commissions began in 1702, when George’s wife, the second daughter of James II & VII, became Anne, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and George, as her royal consort, gained access to the royal purse. Over the next six years, he ordered many groundbreaking horological innovations from Tompion. The commissions came to an end with George’s death in 1708. Antiquarian Jonathan Carter has provided the most up-to-date list of the fourteen Tompion timekeepers that are known and are likely to be part of this group.[1] Eight of them were made while Tompion was in partnership with Edward Banger and are signed Tompion and Banger. Also, included in the group is one Tompion–Graham production (most likely commissioned by Prince George of Denmark but completed for Queen Anne in 1710 after her husband’s death). For an example of a Denmark group commission, see the Sidereal Tompion Regulator, which was completed in 1708, probably just after George’s death. The passing of his patron appears to have left Tompion with unpaid expenses due to the tremendous financial outlay required to produce such a technically advanced timekeeper. End Note [1] Carter 2022, 220. Reference Carter, J. 2022. The John C Taylor Collection: Part III (Selling Exhibition Catalogue, Carter Marsh & Co). Winchester: Carter Marsh & Co.
