Bracket clock, Markwick, James (the younger), London, ca. 1730
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1730
Bracket clock, Markwick, James (the younger), London, ca. 1730 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated ca. 1730. The museum's brief description reads: Bracket clock, English, ca. 1730, made by James Markwick the Younger. Museum description: Bracket clock in a wooden case with chinoiserie decoration. The arched dial has a silvered hour-circle, hands of pierced steel and a day-of-the-month aperture; the spandrel ornament of brass in a design of masks surrounded by scrollwork. The back-plate is engraved with scrollwork, and the pendulum is engraved with a floral design. On a convex silvered disc is engraved 'Tarkwick London' and on either side are cherubs holding torches of brass. In the spandrels of the arched door and at the side below the top are panels of pierced fretwork decoration. The case is decorated with diaper patterns and floral ornament in red and gold on a black ground. The museum record gives material recorded as wood, steel, brass; measurements Height 45.6 cm; Width 26.6 cm; Depth 17.2 cm; place associated: London; maker recorded: Markwick, James (the younger). 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 TypeBracket clocks appeared in the second half of the 17th century, following the invention of the pendulum in 1657. Their name implies that such clocks stood on brackets, and sometimes matching brackets were supplied by the clock maker. More often, however, these clocks had no fixed position and were moved from one place to another. PeopleBoth the clock and its movement are signed by James Markwick the Younger. Markwick was admitted to the Freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1692 and became a Master in 1720. His father, James Markwick, was also a clockmaker (see museum no. 1148-1893).TradingDuring the first half of the 18th century a thriving trade in clocks developed between England and Turkey, and also Spain. Clocks made for the Turkish market were often engraved with Arabic numerals. Their cases were usually japanned and fitted with brass or silver mounts (see also museum no. 365-1897). Sealing-wax red, which was an English speciality, appears to have been a popular colour. Combined with gold, it evoked a sense of luxury and exoticism. Perhaps it was this that so appealed to the Turkish and Spanish markets.Design & DesigningThe case decoration is typical of the Chinoiserie style, which imitated or evoked Chinese art. The cloudbands on the top and base, and the rocks, flowers and dragonflies to the left and right of the dial, are all features of Chinoiserie design, while the gold diaper pattern, brass scrollwork and torch-bearing cherubs are European motifs.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- wood, steel, brass
- Dimensions
- Height 45.6 cm; Width 26.6 cm; Depth 17.2 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Case of wood, with japanned (painted) decoration
- Maker recorded
- Markwick, James (the younger)
- Place recorded
- London
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- 'Markwick, London'
Identification
- Museum object name
- Bracket clock
- Museum object number
- W.7:1 to 4-1944
- Museum system number
- O79069
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.