English Porphyry Clock by Ellicott
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1760-1772
This table clock, attributed to the English clockmaker John Ellicott, is constructed from porphyry and doré bronze. Produced between 1760 and 1772, the piece dates to the period of collaboration between John Ellicott and his son, Edward Ellicott.
The clock features a verge movement and stands 4.5 inches tall, 2.25 inches wide, and 1.5 inches deep. Its small, portable design incorporates gilded bronze elements atop the porphyry base and surrounding the dial and movement. The mechanism is signed "Ellicott / London". As a product of the mid-eighteenth century, the clock reflects the work of a maker known for his position as clockmaker to King George III.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1760-1772
- Type
- Table clock
- Maker
- John Ellicott
- Materials
- Porphyry and doré bronze
- Signature
- Ellicott / London
- Dimensions
- 4.5 in. x 2.25 in. x 1.5 in.
- Movement Type
- Verge movement
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- John Ellicott
Design
- Visible features
- • Porphyry case with doré bronze mounts • Dial features a central engine-turned gilded disc • Movement visible through a circular aperture on the rear • Mounted on four small gilded ball feet
- Design and Materials
- The clock is housed in a case composed of porphyry stone accented with doré bronze mounts. The material combination is described in the source as a choice intended to convey a specific aesthetic presence. The structure features a flared body mounted on four spherical gilded feet, with additional gilded bronze decorative elements surrounding the dial and forming the top finial. The dial includes a central circular disc with an engine-turned pattern, surrounded by a white chapter ring featuring Roman numerals. The dimensions are compact, measuring 11.43 centimeters in height, which distinguishes it as a miniature table clock within the context of eighteenth-century English production.
- Movement and Signature
- The timepiece is powered by a verge movement, a mechanical system identified by the source as a traditional technique used during the mid-eighteenth century. The movement is accessible and visible from the rear, housed within a circular frame set into the stone back of the clock. The mechanism is signed with the inscription "Ellicott / London". According to the source, this signature confirms that the object originated during the twelve-year period in which John Ellicott collaborated with his son, Edward Ellicott. The technical execution of the movement is associated with the expertise attributed to John Ellicott, who served as the official clockmaker to King George III.
- Provenance and Historical Context
- The clock is dated to the period between 1760 and 1772. The source identifies the maker as John Ellicott, a notable figure in English horology who held the appointment of clockmaker to King George III. Collectors are advised to assess the condition of the stone and bronze elements as well as the authenticity of the signature on the mechanism. The source notes that such evaluations are necessary to verify the history and investment status of the object.
Identification
- Reference
- 30-0710
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Authentication of the signature as original to the piece is not independently verified
- Research required: The operational status of the verge movement is not confirmed by the source