Not on display

This object consists of 8 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Longcase Clock

ca. 1695 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The use of a pendulum to regulate the movement of a clock was first successfully put into practice by the Dutch mathematician, Christiaaen Huygens in 1656. During the next century, clockmaking developed as a particular technical skill. Clocks became popular status symbols and were produced in large numbers throughout Europe. George Etherington (died 1739), the maker of this clock, was admitted to the Clockmakers' Company in London in 1684. Nearly thirty years later he was considered of sufficient status to stand as Master of the Company for one year. A large number of clocks by him are known, many of them longcase clocks, which now carry the popular name of 'grandfather clocks'. Like many such clocks, this one has lost the lower plinth to its base, and the coved top called a 'caddy top', which would originally have made it at least 20 cm taller.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.

  • Longcase Clock
  • Hood
  • Movement
  • Pendulum
  • Weight
  • Weight
  • Winding Handle
  • Key
Materials and techniques
Veneering in walnut and other woods on carcase of oak; movement of brass and iron
Brief description
The case veneered in walnut, with floral marquetry, on a carcase of oak; the movement with brass dial plate inscribed 'Geo. Etherington London'
Physical description
A longcase clock, with brass dial plate with silvered chapter ring, the case veneered in walnut, with floral marquetry, on a carcase of oak.
Dimensions
  • Height: 208.8cm
  • Width: 43.7cm
  • Depth: 22.8cm
Dimensions taken from departmental catalogue. Not checked on object
Marks and inscriptions
  • Geo. Etherington London (Engraved on the dial plate)
  • ...awing & ning room Clocks cased by Damper ?? 1898 (Fragmentary inscription written in ink on a piece of paper glued inside the left-hand side of the case)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Miss Ellen Maud Baker
Object history
Bequeathed by Ellen Maud Baker of 23 Copley Park, Streatham. Notes from R.P. 68/821.

Above R.P. lists this among objects on loan to Tewkesbury Museum (Cheltenham Museum & Art Gallery)

1968 Correspondence refers to the fact that no keys were received at the time of the transfer. A handwritten notation reads "handed to Mr Fletcher (curator). Secretary will look into question of keys".

1979 Correspondence again concerns the whereabouts of the keys and J Hardy concedes "it is possible they were never sent".

This object was lent to the National Trust at Gladstone's Land, Edinburgh, 1980-2015.
Subject depicted
Summary
The use of a pendulum to regulate the movement of a clock was first successfully put into practice by the Dutch mathematician, Christiaaen Huygens in 1656. During the next century, clockmaking developed as a particular technical skill. Clocks became popular status symbols and were produced in large numbers throughout Europe. George Etherington (died 1739), the maker of this clock, was admitted to the Clockmakers' Company in London in 1684. Nearly thirty years later he was considered of sufficient status to stand as Master of the Company for one year. A large number of clocks by him are known, many of them longcase clocks, which now carry the popular name of 'grandfather clocks'. Like many such clocks, this one has lost the lower plinth to its base, and the coved top called a 'caddy top', which would originally have made it at least 20 cm taller.
Bibliographic reference
Possibly the V&A clock referred to in Bernard Jack, The Antique Story Book (London, 1978), pp.42-3
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.357-1961

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 27, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest