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Clock
Ellicott, John, born 1706 - died 1772 - Enlarge image
Clock
- Place of origin:
London, England (made)
- Date:
1740-1750 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Ellicott, John, born 1706 - died 1772 (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Walnut, mounted in silver gilt
- Museum number:
M.22-1970
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 53a, case 5
Object Type
This table-clock with walnut-case and silver-gilt mounts has a verge eight-day movement with four quarter repeating mechanism operated by a cord at the back. When this is pulled, the clock strikes the last hour on the bell and the nearest quarter past it on six bells of different tones. The escapement, crown-wheel and pallet are modern replacements. The clock is signed twice, with the one on the rear plate accompanied by the number '36803'.
Historical Associations
This clock came originally from the well-known dealer and horologist Percy Webster, who claimed that it had once belonged to Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia (1729-1796).
Design
It has been suggested that the very fine silver-gilt mounts may be after designs by G.M. Moser (1706-83).
Maker
John Ellicott (1706-1772) was the most famous member of a distinguished family of clockmakers. He took over his father's business in 1733 and was in partnership with his son from 1757. He supplied clocks and a terrestrial globe to the Spanish royal family. In the apartments of Queen Maria Cristina at the Palacio Real, Madrid, is a table clock signed by Ellicott which has very similar silver-gilt mounts.
