This style of clock was much favoured by Vulliamy and was made in a number of different sizes. This is the smallest size. In addition to black marble various other colours were also used and many of the clocks have additional gilded bronzed friezes attached to the marble bases. This clock with its very plain base is quite unusual.

The proportions of these clocks, in particular their width in comparison to their heights, makes them ideal for display on mantelpieces.

PROVENANC

The clock was originally sold in 1813 to St. John Swinburn, 6^th Baronet of Capheaton House, Northumberland.

Nothing is then known of the clock until the early 1980s when it was bought by Mr. Michael Harding of Sinclair & Harding the well known clockmakers. He owned the clock until the end of 2008 when we purchased it.

Benjamin was probably the most widely talented and artistic member of the clockmaking family. He was born in 1747 and died in 1811. His skills not only related to his clock and watch making but also to the case work and artistic side of the business. He was granted the Royal Appointment as the King’s Clockmaker in 1773 and although his father had sold many clocks to George III it was Benjamin who developed the connection and gave personal advice on horological matters in which the King was keenly interested.

Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy was born on the 25^th January 1780 and was the last of a line of exceptional clockmakers in the Vulliamy family. He was Free of the Clockmakers’ Company in December 1809 and Liveryman in January 1810, the same year he was admitted to the Court of the Guild. There he served every office in the Court and was five times elected Master. In his years of service he did much to further the good reputation of the clockmakers’ trade and against increasing odds he succeeded at preserving high standards of craftsmanship which can be seen in all of the clocks he produced. He died in 1854.