Globe clock by Jean Romilly, France, 1783-1785

V&A — Summary

The clock is in the form of a terrestial globe which is supported by three putti, two representing the elements of Earth and Fire. The dial is in the form of a concentric ring situated as an equator with a snake's head pointer to indicate the time. The clock was originally made in France during the 18th century and contained a movement by Jean Romilly which was later removed and replaced by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy who lent it to the Museum of Ornamental Art at Marlborough House in 1853. This was one of the very earlu incarnations of the museum that later became the V&A. It was purchased from Vulliamy's executors by the Museum in 1854 and features in a watercolour William Linnaeus Casey in 1856 of the diplays at Marlborough House.

V&A — Physical description

The clock is in the form of a terrestial globe which is supported by three putti, two representing the elements of Earth and Fire. The dial is in the form of a concentric ring situated as an equator with a snake's head pointer to indicate the time.

V&A — Object history

From the 'Guide Book of the Museum of Ornamental Art, Marlborough House', 1853, p.10 Quoting Benjamin Vulliamy: 'This bronze group probably represents the four elements, the globe representing the earth. In the absence of any correct knowledge as to its early possessors, it would be difficult to determine the exact time when it was cast but, judging from its excellence and finish, it may, with great certainly, be attributed to the best Florentine period. It is cast particularly thin, so thin that, looked at from within, the daylight is seen in many places. The entire group can, if required, for the convenience of seeing the figures all round, be very easily made to revolve on friction rollers, without fear of stopping the clock. Several modern copies of the figures have been made at Paris, and adapted to carry clocks and a large tazza, but these are very inferior to the original and immediately show their modern origin.' And Gottfried Semper: 'This fine group has the character of a work of the eighteenth century, and probably is of the same date as the clock it originally supported, viz. about 1740. The boys are in the style of the Fiammingos, but certainly not by them, nor of the same period with those distinguished ornamental sculptors.' In the Utensils and Furniture album of drawings in the Library of the Society of Antiquaries is an engraving of the clock with the legend. 'This very beautiful Old French Clock of which there are only two known (the other being in the possession of his Grace the Duke of Sutherland) stands four feet high. The three Figures representing the Elements are in Bronze of the best Florentine period. The Globe is gilt.' The print is lettered 'Drawn by Henry Warren Engraved by Henry Moses'. The Duke of Sutherland's Romilly globe clock was then at Stafford House but is now at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. Sir William Lever bought it for 125 guineas at the Christie's Stafford House sale of 11 July 1913. (Information from James Yorke 26 July 2017) There is also a printed memorandum dated 1845 signed by 'B L VULLIAMY Clockmaker to the Queen: the Hon.Board of Ordnance; the Post office; and Her Majesty's Office of Works' with the address 'PALL-MALL' which reads 'THIS Bronze Group is by some persons supposed to represent the Four Elements. In the absence of any correct knowledge as to its early possessors, it would be difficult to determine the exact time when it was cast, but, judging from its excellence and finish, it may with great certainty be attributed to the best Florentine period. The movement originally placed in the Globe was made by ROMILLY, born at Geneva, a Clockmaker of great celebrity, and the author of several very clever papers on Horology, and to disprove the possibility of Perpetual Motion, published in L'Enciclopedie et le Journal de Paris . He died in Paris, A.D. 1796. Sir Samuel Romilly, in his Memoirs written by himself, ( Memoirs of Sir Samuel Romilly . Vol.1, p.64 Murray: London, 1840) relates having made his acquaintance at Paris in 1781, and describes him as a man at the advanced age of seventy, possessing great literary attainments and knowledge of his business. Judging by the style of the work it must have been an early production of the maker, perhaps about the year 1740, but being quite worn out by time, I have replaced it by a Balance Clock which strikes the hours and quarters, the hours upon a bell spring instead of a bell, which has a very good effect. The entire Group can, if required, for the convenience of seeing the figures all round, be very easily made to revolve on friction rollers, without fear of stopping the Clock. Several modern copies of the Figures have been made at Paris, and adapted to carry a large Tazza, but these are very inferior to the original, and immediately show their modern origin. The 4th Marquess of Hertford owned 18th- and 19th-century versions of this clock, the first being kept at Bagatelle. Another 19th century version was sold through Sotheby's London on 11th March 1991, lot 161.

V&A gallery label

GLOBE CLOCK Gilt and patinated bronze French, 18th century with an English movement signed 'Vulliamy London' and numbered 155. It replaced the original movement by Jean Romilly (Maitre 1752, died 1796). The clock was altered by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (1780-1854) and lent by him to the Museum of Ornamental Art at Marlborough House in 1853. It was purchased from Vulliamy's executors by this Museum in 1854. 4311-1857