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Lot Essay
A pair of ormolu mounted tortoiseshell clocks by Markwick Markham for the Turkish market with cases of closely related design sold Christie's, London, 1 July 2008, lot 41, (£181,250), both with the same tune selection as the present clock.
Interestingly, the brass dial plate on this clock is pierced for signature and date apertures. However, both show faults. It seems probable that this dial plate was originally conceived to have a silvered chapter ring and painted decoration (as in the pair noted above) but that mistakes in the workshop -- or an order for a 'Turkish' clock with enamel dials -- subsequently led to this design being abandoned and the current enamel discs being put in place. A comparable dial with Roman chapter ring and matted centre by Markwick Markham can be seen in a similar clock sold Christie's, New York, 28 October 1989, lot 161, ($30,800), another with Turkish chapter ring is illustrated in Barder, The Georgian Bracket Clock, Woodbridge, 1993, p. 163, plate V/8.
Markwick Markham (recorded 'Behind the Royal Exchange', London) flourished 1725-1805 and specialised in making both musical and ordinary clocks for the Ottoman market and for Russia also. Robert Markham was son in law and partner to James Markwick (d.1730) and sold clocks under both his own name and that of Markwick Markham. He also formed associations with other makers such as Henry Borrell and Francis Perigal, generally for the export market. The 'Turkish' or 'Ottoman'
market was a lucrative one and embraced most countries of the Near East, extending to Persia. One of the finest Turkish market clocks sold in recent years was by Markwick Markham and Perigal, a miniature gold-mounted bloodstone musical and automaton clock sold Christie's, London, 7 December 2005, lot 120, (£254,400).
Interestingly, the brass dial plate on this clock is pierced for signature and date apertures. However, both show faults. It seems probable that this dial plate was originally conceived to have a silvered chapter ring and painted decoration (as in the pair noted above) but that mistakes in the workshop -- or an order for a 'Turkish' clock with enamel dials -- subsequently led to this design being abandoned and the current enamel discs being put in place. A comparable dial with Roman chapter ring and matted centre by Markwick Markham can be seen in a similar clock sold Christie's, New York, 28 October 1989, lot 161, ($30,800), another with Turkish chapter ring is illustrated in Barder, The Georgian Bracket Clock, Woodbridge, 1993, p. 163, plate V/8.
Markwick Markham (recorded 'Behind the Royal Exchange', London) flourished 1725-1805 and specialised in making both musical and ordinary clocks for the Ottoman market and for Russia also. Robert Markham was son in law and partner to James Markwick (d.1730) and sold clocks under both his own name and that of Markwick Markham. He also formed associations with other makers such as Henry Borrell and Francis Perigal, generally for the export market. The 'Turkish' or 'Ottoman'
market was a lucrative one and embraced most countries of the Near East, extending to Persia. One of the finest Turkish market clocks sold in recent years was by Markwick Markham and Perigal, a miniature gold-mounted bloodstone musical and automaton clock sold Christie's, London, 7 December 2005, lot 120, (£254,400).