Lot Essay
The collaboration between the Royal Clockmakers Vulliamy and the Derby porcelain factory has been documented by Sir Timothy Clifford (T. Clifford, 'New evidence concerning Vulliamy clocks and Duesbury porcelain', Derby Porcelain International Society Journal, II, 1991, pp. 35-52). The present clock representing the 'Genius of Architecture contemplating the transience of Time' is one of only a small number of known clocks of this type. It includes those numbered or just dated, such as the present clock: the earliest dated 1783; another, numbered '175'; number '189' (The Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth House); and two dated '1787' (Christie's, New York, 20 January 1996, lot 511 and Sotheby's, London, 17 May 2022, lot 47).
From the surviving Vulliamy workbooks (clock numbers 297-496) it is evident that many of the component parts for these clocks were subcontracted to specialist workmen. Although No. 184 pre-dates the workbooks, most of the outworkers listed regularly supplied Vulliamy, so the following attributions may be made;
J. Day -The marble
Bullock - The movement
Long & Drew -The Dial
Culver - Graving the hands and mounts
Duesbury - The biscuit figure
Crockett - The gilding
Haas - The brass ring
Amedroz - Engraving the plate
Barrow - The brass work
Additionally, the Derby figure of the putto walking with arm outstretched is attributed to having been first modelled by the sculptor John Deare (1759-98).
From the surviving Vulliamy workbooks (clock numbers 297-496) it is evident that many of the component parts for these clocks were subcontracted to specialist workmen. Although No. 184 pre-dates the workbooks, most of the outworkers listed regularly supplied Vulliamy, so the following attributions may be made;
J. Day -The marble
Bullock - The movement
Long & Drew -The Dial
Culver - Graving the hands and mounts
Duesbury - The biscuit figure
Crockett - The gilding
Haas - The brass ring
Amedroz - Engraving the plate
Barrow - The brass work
Additionally, the Derby figure of the putto walking with arm outstretched is attributed to having been first modelled by the sculptor John Deare (1759-98).