Clock. Gilt bronze, set with coloured pastes; with mechanical figures and musical-box Signed: MORRIS, TOBIAS, LONDON

V&A — Physical description

Stepped square base from which rises a double canopied structure, containing the clock, and surmounted by a vase of flowers. Around are figures of dancing men and women holding bouquets, and smaller painted figures revolving in front of a central figure in oriental costume. Case: The clock movement is contained within a drum 7.2 cm diameter; 4.5 cm deep, which rests on an elaborate structure consisting at its lowest stage of a square brass plinth stepped in 3 stages and resting on a square base supported on four cast feet each including a grotesque animal mask; the plinth supports a baldacchino in Decorated Gothic style, with two lower stages with applied Decorated ornament, from which rise four fluted columns supporting a canopy with a draped female figurine above each column; two further columns rise from sphinxes on plinths on the main plinth at either side of the baldacchino, and from these rise two further twisted columns which support the outer ends of two ogee arches the inner ends of which link the canopy. Twisted glass rods extend up the centres of these two side arches. There are dancing figures (one missing) at each corner of the middle step of the plinth. The clock case is flanked by two statuettes each carrying a rosette in one hand, and above the clock case rises a further flat oval canopy supported by four twisted columns and surmounted by an elaborate finial system in the form of a basket of flowers with petals of red and white brilliants. This canopy protects a draped female figure carrying in her right hand a bell-hammer striking a bell above her head, immediately below the canopy. The movement of the arm was presumably activated by striking the train of the original clock movement. Dial: The dial is of white enamel 6.5 cm diameter with a bezel now unglazed with a ring of red and white brilliants. The dial has an outer ring of minute dots and inner set of erect arabic numerals, brass hours and minute hands the latter with a tail. Movement: The present movement is essentially that of a large watch, with plates 5.3 cm diameter, the backplate is signed 'No.144 MORRIS TOBIAS LONDON'; this movement is probably a replacement. The pierced bridge balance-cock is marked 'PATENT' and the regulator index moves over a wide arc graduated from 'SLOW' to 'FAST'. The main canopy protects a central turbaned figure mounted on a square, rotatable platform with a low railing and two entry posts each surmounted by an urn. Projecting up through a circular groove surrounding this platform are eight painted silhouette figures in late 18th century dress; these can all revolve together around the centre of the platform. Through an opening in one side of the upper base of the baldacchino two sets of figures are mounted on an invisible travelling belt loop; they, too, can move to the left at the front and to the right at the rear, in front of a painted landscape. The motions are all powered by a musical box movement contained with the plinth, which is driven through by a fusee and chain and sounds on 7 bells.

V&A — Object history

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

V&A gallery label

AUTOMATON CLOCK English; late 18th century Gilt brass The clock movement signed: Morris, Tobias London