Clock

This mantel clock in the Egyptian taste was made between December 1807 and February 1808 by Benjamin Vulliamy in London. Built from black marble with mounts of patinated bronze and ormolu (gilt bronze), it measures 22.8 cm high, 30.2 cm wide, and 12.5 cm deep. The mastaba-shaped case with ormolu mouldings is supported upon four patinated bronze sphinxes that rest on an oblong black marble base.

The Egyptian ornamentation incorporates figures of Horus and serpents based on plates from Vivant Denon's 1802 publication "Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Egypte". On the base, applied ormolu serpents holding sceptres flank a central hawk. Above the dial sits a winged sun disc with double uraeus, while a hawk occupies each spandrel. The gilt-brass dial is encircled by an ouroboros serpent and features cast raised Roman numerals, minute dots, and blued steel hands with pierced heart-shaped tips.

Powered by an eight-day movement signed on the backplate "Vulliamy London No 438", the mechanism is accessed via a circular opening with a brass lid. A craftsman named Jackson supplied the movement, while the sphinxes were chased by Houle. The clock is accompanied by winding and regulation keys as well as a later ebony base inscribed "MARIA THERESA VILLIERS. PRESENTED ON HER MARRIAGE BY ERNEST AUGUSTUS KING OF HANOVER".