FDA-A.1061-2020
Parts
Object number
FDA-A.1061-2020
Object type
Identification
Title
Thackeray Clock
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
George III ebony, fruitwood and walnut inlaid floral marquetry and mahogany eight-day longcase clock, arched glazed hood, steel dial, case with a door, plain sides, inlaid plinth
Comments
The maker of this clock, William Bell was apprenticed in 1747 and appears to have run his business in Spitalfields, London, during the period 1766-1774.
Although this clock case dates from the mid 18th century, the floral marquetry decoration is earlier and in the William and Mary style and dates to the latter years of the 17th century. It reflects the Dutch fashion for floral marquetry, with shading on the flowers done with the hot sand technique to give a three dimensional effect.
Although this clock case dates from the mid 18th century, the floral marquetry decoration is earlier and in the William and Mary style and dates to the latter years of the 17th century. It reflects the Dutch fashion for floral marquetry, with shading on the flowers done with the hot sand technique to give a three dimensional effect.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 2300mm
width (actual size): 540mm
depth (actual size): 250mm
width (actual size): 540mm
depth (actual size): 250mm
Inscription
Arch of hood lettered in gilt: 'Tempora.mutari.doceo. / sto.tempus.in.omne / non immutandœ.pignus.amicitiæ'; dial lettered: 'Tempus Fugit'
One white enamel dial lettered: 'Chime' and 'Silent', and another with 'Chime on eight bells / Westminster Chimes'
Top of the plinth lettered in gilt: 'Presented to Revd. Francis St. John Thackeray. on his leaving Eton. 1883. by 103 of his Eton pupils'
Gold sticker with black printed lettering on inside of the oak case to the movement: 'R.C. Cuss / Clockmaker / High Street / Burford, Oxon 0X8 4QU / Telephone: (099 382) 2132h'
One white enamel dial lettered: 'Chime' and 'Silent', and another with 'Chime on eight bells / Westminster Chimes'
Top of the plinth lettered in gilt: 'Presented to Revd. Francis St. John Thackeray. on his leaving Eton. 1883. by 103 of his Eton pupils'
Gold sticker with black printed lettering on inside of the oak case to the movement: 'R.C. Cuss / Clockmaker / High Street / Burford, Oxon 0X8 4QU / Telephone: (099 382) 2132h'
Material
mahogany
ebony
fruitwood
walnut
steel
gilding
bronze
ebony
fruitwood
walnut
steel
gilding
bronze
Materials & techniques note
marquetry; gilt-bronze
Physical description
English ebony, fruitwood and floral marquetry inlaid mahogany, eight-day longcase clock by William Bell, London; with a square 'caddy top' on the arched glazed hood, with freestanding ribbed columns, above a chime-change dial and Father Time, above a steel dial with Roman numerals and gilt-bronze spandrels cast with flowers and foliage and one white enamel dial with “Chime” and “Silent”, and another with “Chime on eight bells / Westminster Chimes” flanked by columns, the tapering case with a door later inlaid with floral marquetry and a vase of flowers, plain mahogany veneered sides, on a similarly inlaid plinth and platform base; with large three-train chiming movement with Westminster / eight bells chiming; extensively re-veneered with earlier marquetry
Production
Person
Bell, William (Maker)
Date
1680-1880
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Francis St John Thackeray (1832-1917), the donor's great-grandfather; presented to him by 103 of his pupils upon his retirement as Assistant Master in 1883; by descent to the mother of the present donor; by descent to her son, Professor Francis J.F. Thackeray upon her death c.2006; by whom presented to Eton College in 2019
