This bracket clock was constructed by François-Justin Vulliamy, the founder of the Vulliamy dynasty of royal clockmakers. It is of characteristically high quality; but the lavishly mounted case, which is used as a vehicle for the display of the bronze-maker’s and chaser’s skill, is its most distinctive feature. The finely modelled and chased gilt bronze female term angles and seated figure of a philosopher - seated and holding a scroll - crowning the top reflect in miniature something of the rich sobriety seen in the Cumming barograph, if on a greatly reduced scale and in a much more conventional and conservative format.

The movement comprises an eight day rack ¼ chiming clock with a fusee movement and very escapement. The face has spandrels around the main enamel dial which has the hours represented by Roman numerals and 5 minute intervals in arabic numerals. In the break arch are, on the left, a rise and fall regulator, and on the right, a strike silent dial. Hands of blued steel, pointers on the subsidiary dials and for the minutes, pierced for the hours.

Benjamin and Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy were respectively the son and grandson of François-Justin, who was born in Switzerland. François-Justin received a large number of commissions from George III: these included a watch for the King’s use (which remains in the Royal Collection) and an almost identical watch which the King gave to Lord Harcourt. He certainly made the movement for the watch presented by the Queen to Sir John Pringle c.1772 and probably that in the chatelaine presented by the King to Lord Courtown a decade later.

Stamped on backplate: Justin Vulliamy/ London

Catalogue entry adapted from George III & Queen Charlotte: Patronage, Collecting and Court Taste, London, 2004