Bracket clock by John Ellicott, c. 1750–1760

Dealer description — Howard Walwyn

A fine George II period ebonised 8-day hour-striking and quarter-repeating bracket clock by this famous London maker. The 6-inch break-arch dial has a silvered brass chapter ring with Roman hour numerals, Arabic five minute markers, a fine minute track and fleur-de-lys half hour markers. The maker’s name John Ellicott, London is engraved on a silvered brass cartouche, above the date aperture. There are gilt brass cherub head spandrels to each corner and two foliate spandrels which flank the strike/silent dial in the arch. The finely pierced steel hands appear to be original. The elegant ebonised case has an inverted bell top surmounted by a brass carrying handle. The glazed side panels are framed with moulded brass, and there are two carved wooden sound frets to the front door. The high quality 8-day twin fusee movement has a verge escapement, pear shaped pendulum bob and strikes the hours on a bell- with pull quarter repeating on six bells. The backplate, back cock and repeat pulley are beautifully engraved with detailed foliate scrollwork, and the maker’s name John Ellicott, London is engraved in the centre. Date : circa 1750-1760 Height : 15 in (38 cm) incl. handle Height : 17 ¼ in (43.8 cm) excl. handle Width : 9 ¼ in (23.5 cm) Depth : 6 ½ in (16.5 cm) * John Ellicott was born in 1706 and established his business in Swithin’s Alley, Royal Exchange in 1728. He was the inventor of a compensation pendulum and he developed the use of the cylinder escapement. Like his peer George Graham , he became a member of the Royal Society, for which he wrote several papers. He was appointed Clockmaker to the King and he designed the London Hospital clock. He died suddenly in 1772 and was succeeded by his son. His work can be found in museums and royal collections throughout the world. HW6468