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Bracket clock

Bracket clock

  • Place of origin:

    London, England (movement, made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1695 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    John Martin (maker)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Marquetry of sycamore, with walnut, holly, boxwood and purpleheart, some stained by scorching, with gilt-bronze mounts

  • Credit Line:

    Bequeathed by Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons

  • Museum number:

    W.61:1, 2-1926

  • Gallery location:

    British Galleries, room 56d, case 16

  • Download image

Object Type
Bracket clocks were designed to stand on a bracket or table top and were popular for libraries and closets.

People
The maker is probably the John Martin who was admitted to the freedom of the London Clockmakers' Company in 1679 and remained a member until 1701.

Materials & Making
The woods used in the marquetry case have been identified as holly (which has been stained red and green), sycamore, boxwood and purplewood. The case is decorated with repeating patterns. The domed top is inlaid with birds and arabesques. It has a finely chased, brass fold-down handle and four vase-shaped pineapple finials.

Place of Origin

London, England (movement, made)

Date

ca. 1695 (made)

Artist/maker

John Martin (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Marquetry of sycamore, with walnut, holly, boxwood and purpleheart, some stained by scorching, with gilt-bronze mounts

Marks and inscriptions

Inscribed on the dial 'Martin, London' and on the backplate 'John Martin Londini Fecit'

Dimensions

Height: 40 cm, Width: 27 cm, Depth: 17 cm, Height: 35.5 cm with handle down

Object history note

Movement made in London and signed by John Martin (active 1679-1700).

Bracket clock, gift of Col Croft Lyons Part V

Listed among items previously on loan, now officially bequeathed on 18/8/26:
Bracket clock in marquetry case (it is fitted with "rack striking work").
By John Martin, London.
English; late 17th Century.

Labels and date

British Galleries:
Although John Martin made this clock movement, he would have bought the case from a cabinet-maker. The small repeating patterns in the marquetry are versions of similar patterns in brass and tortoiseshell that were fashionable in France at the time. The cabinet-maker has created his version of that rich decoration using only three or four woods. [27/03/2003]

Production Note

signed by John Martin

Categories

Clocks & Watches

Collection code

FWK

Download image
Qr_O79046
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