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John Ellicott, London Circa 1770

John Ellicott, London Circa 1770

A rare George III mahogany and brass-mounted striking table clock with enamel dial

SORRY SOLD


Case

The typical Ellicott case with a full front door and bezel, has an inverted bell top applied to the front and sides with lacquered brass foliate-cast mounts and surmounted by a brass handle. The sides of the case are glazed and the front door is set with brass foliate cast blind frets above the brass-bound moulded base, which is raised on elaborate foliate scroll feet.

The purpose-made brass-bound wall bracket is an exact copy of a contemporary example with elaborate base mouldings beneath the ogee moulded drawer which slides forward to reveal a compartment for the door and winding keys.

Dial

The white enamel chapter disc is set into a brass mask which is covered by the closed door with a strike/silent lever in the top left quadrant. The dial is signed Ellicott London and with Roman and Arabic numerals and elaborately pierced blued steel hands.

Movement

The movement has thick brass plates with shaped shoulders and five baluster pillars. There are twin fusees with chain lines and spring barrels; the going train has a verge escapement with a spring-suspended pendulum with an articulated holdfast block in the centre of the backplate. The hours are struck on a single bell above the plates; the backplate is signed in script Ellicott London within profuse symmetrical foliate engraving centred by a basket of flowers. The movement is secured within the case by means of two foliate engraved backplate brackets.

Duration

8 days

Provenance

Private collection UK

John Ellicott (II) 1706-1772, was one of the most brilliant clock and watchmakers of the 18th century. He was the son of Cornishman John Ellicott (I), a fine clockmaker who moved to London and worked in Austin Friars and then St. Swithin’s Alley.

John (II) proved to be an even more exceptional talent than his father and his plaudits included being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1738, a huge achievement at the age of 32. He was interested in many scientific developments of the day but is best remembered for his work on the temperature compensated pendulum and the cylinder escapement. His reputation brought him to the attention of the Royal Court and he was elevated to the position of Clockmaker to King George II and later George III. Examples of his work can be found in the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and many Royal Collections around the world.

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Product Description

John Ellicott (II) 1706-1772, was one of the most brilliant clock and watchmakers of the 18th century. He was the son of Cornishman John Ellicott (I), a fine clockmaker who moved to London and worked in Austin Friars and then St. Swithin’s Alley.

John (II) proved to be an even more exceptional talent than his father and his plaudits included being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1738, a huge achievement at the age of 32. He was interested in many scientific developments of the day but is best remembered for his work on the temperature compensated pendulum and the cylinder escapement. His reputation brought him to the attention of the Royal Court and he was elevated to the position of Clockmaker to King George II and later George III. Examples of his work can be found in the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and many Royal Collections around the world.

Additional information

Dimensions 5827373 cm