Watch
ca. 1610-1620 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The movement of this watch is engraved with the name of Robert Grinkin. There were two London watchmakers of this name, father and son. The watch appears to date from about 1610 to 1620 and may therefore be the work of Robert Grinkin senior. He is believed to have been Master of the Blacksmiths’ Company in 1609. In 1622 he was one of a group of watchmakers who asked King James I to allow them to form a company of clockmakers, aimed at keeping foreign competitors out of London. The king did not agree to their request, and it was not until 1631 that the Clockmakers’ Company was founded. Robert Grinkin senior had died in 1626, but his son went on to become Master of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1648 and 1654.
The appearance of the watch suggests it was much used. The original movement was altered to prolong its useful life. The engraved decoration of the silver case, which includes scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, has been heavily rubbed by wear.
The appearance of the watch suggests it was much used. The original movement was altered to prolong its useful life. The engraved decoration of the silver case, which includes scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, has been heavily rubbed by wear.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved silver, gilt brass and steel |
| Brief description | Case and dial of engraved silver and gilt brass. English, about 1640. |
| Physical description | Octagonal watch with engraved silver and brass case, brass dial, silver chapter ring, single hand, pierced cock and pillars, verge escapement, gut-driven fusee. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Ro Grinkin' (Top plate; engraving (incising)) |
| Object history | According to a letter from Mrs I. de B. Lockyer to the V&A when she proposed the loan of the watch on 2 March 1958 it was 'originally in the possession of the Twopeny [? if this is correct reading] family of Woodstock Park, Kent (forbears of my mother's)'. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The movement of this watch is engraved with the name of Robert Grinkin. There were two London watchmakers of this name, father and son. The watch appears to date from about 1610 to 1620 and may therefore be the work of Robert Grinkin senior. He is believed to have been Master of the Blacksmiths’ Company in 1609. In 1622 he was one of a group of watchmakers who asked King James I to allow them to form a company of clockmakers, aimed at keeping foreign competitors out of London. The king did not agree to their request, and it was not until 1631 that the Clockmakers’ Company was founded. Robert Grinkin senior had died in 1626, but his son went on to become Master of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1648 and 1654. The appearance of the watch suggests it was much used. The original movement was altered to prolong its useful life. The engraved decoration of the silver case, which includes scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, has been heavily rubbed by wear. |
| Bibliographic reference | For Robert Grinkin, see Loomes, Brian. The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain. London: NAG Press, 1981. |
| Other number | LOAN:LOCKYER.1 - Previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.3-2003 |
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| Record created | January 28, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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