Bracket clock, Gretton, Charles, London, ca. 1700
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1700
Bracket clock, Gretton, Charles, London, ca. 1700 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated ca. 1700. The museum's brief description reads: Bracket Clock - Gretton. Museum description: Object TypeThis bracket clock with its ebonised case and silver mounts is a fine representative of a high-quality London-made time piece of the early 18th century. The complex mechanism is very characteristic of its maker, Charles Gretton. There is also a calendar mechanism, with a date aperture in the dial. The prominent silver mount on the top of the clock is pierced with scrolling foliage and bears the crest and cipher of Charles Bodville Robartes, 2nd Earl of Radnor (1685-1723). The clock has undergone some restoration.PeopleCharles Gretton was one of the best London clockmakers of the early 18th century. He was apprenticed in 1662, became a member of the Clockmakers Company in 1672 and was Master of the Clockmakers' Company from 1700 to 1733. He made watches, long-case clocks and bracket clocks, many like this example with complex repeating movements. The museum record gives measurements Height 35.5 cm; Width 22.5 cm; Depth 15.5 cm; place associated: London; maker recorded: Gretton, Charles. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
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.
Historical context
Object TypeThis bracket clock with its ebonised case and silver mounts is a fine representative of a high-quality London-made time piece of the early 18th century. The complex mechanism is very characteristic of its maker, Charles Gretton. There is also a calendar mechanism, with a date aperture in the dial. The prominent silver mount on the top of the clock is pierced with scrolling foliage and bears the crest and cipher of Charles Bodville Robartes, 2nd Earl of Radnor (1685-1723). The clock has undergone some restoration.PeopleCharles Gretton was one of the best London clockmakers of the early 18th century. He was apprenticed in 1662, became a member of the Clockmakers Company in 1672 and was Master of the Clockmakers' Company from 1700 to 1733. He made watches, long-case clocks and bracket clocks, many like this example with complex repeating movements.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Height 35.5 cm; Width 22.5 cm; Depth 15.5 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Ebony case, with engraved and pierced silver mounts
- Maker recorded
- Gretton, Charles
- Place recorded
- London
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- Bears the arms, crest and cipher of Charles Bodville Robartes 2nd, Earl of Radnor; inscribed 'Charles Gretton in Fleet Street'
Identification
- Museum object name
- Bracket clock
- Museum object number
- M.54-1943
- Museum system number
- O78602
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: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.