A George III ormolu and jasperware-mounted white marble and biscuit mantel clock by Benjamin Vulliamy, model No. 341 circa 1800

the backplate of the movement signed Vulliamy / London / No. 341, the pendulum numbered 341.

Overall good condition; of beautiful quality. Together with its original numbered pendulum. The front Wedgwood plaque with a diagonal hairline crack; beading to the plinth beneath the Wedgwood plaque with loose 1-inch element to the front right corner with is present in the parts bag; there is an ormolu element to the right of the spy-glass which appears to be the base of another element which is lacking; the right putto with old repaired breaks to his proper right leg and to the middle finger of his proper right hand; the left putto with a mildly glossy surface (possible an over-spray?); there do not appear to be any breaks to the left putto, but the mildly glossy surface makes this impossible to determine; Each side of the plinth base with a small 1/2 inch loss to the beading a the center and to a 1/4 inch missing section of the beading to each back corner. The marble and ormolu with some minor dirt and wear consistent with age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

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Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

This superb clock by Benjamin Vulliamy (1747-1811) of 74-76 Pall Mall, and King George III’s clock-maker, clearly illustrates his skill as an inventive clock-maker with sculptors, modelers in porcelain and workers in metal. It is representative of a small group of similar clocks which are ‘among the most handsome decorative art objects made in Britain during the last quarter of the 18^th century’ (Clifford, Apollo, op. cit).

The Vulliamys were of Swiss extraction, holding the Royal Warrant from the 1740s, the firm being run by Benjamin’s father Justin, who was in partnership with Benjamin Gray (1676-1764), Watchmaker in Ordinary to George II, marrying his daughter in 1746. In later years Benjamin was joined by his own son, Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (1780-1854). The firm had a distinguished list of clients, besides George III and the Prince of Wales, porcelain-mounted clocks similar to the present lot were purchased by the Dukes of Marlborough, Northumberland and Devonshire.

This group as a whole owes its origins to the association of William Duesbury the younger (1763-1796), proprietor of the Derby porcelain factory, with Benjamin Vulliamy who assumed the role of client, critic, and mentor (Clifford, Apollo, op. cit.), although it is possible that Vulliamy had also previously collaborated with his father William Duesbury (1725-1586). Duesbury’s porcelain figures, although made at the Derby factory, appear to have been modeled in London by sculptors namely John Deare (1759-98) and Chalres Peart (1759-98), both of whom were winners of the Royal Academy Gold Medal.  It appears that Vulliamy retained the copyright of the models as the model did not become factory stock-in-trade.

This clock, numbered 341 is described as a “Small ‘truss’ clock with two putti.  The Deusbury boys [putto] cost £1.1.0; the Wedgwood three medallions £1.2.6.”  According to Vulliamy’s Clock Book, this model was purchased by Bayley, Esq., in 1802.  The model relates to a number of other clocks including no. 431/796, circa 1825, which employs the same biscuit figures and appears to be a smaller version of No. 467, circa 1800-1805 (Clifford, vol. II, p. 37) which has the same single boy putto figure and almost identical ormolu frieze.

The three lilac jasperware plaques on this clock were supplied by Wedgwood and include The Three Graces, first created in 1785 (Reilly, op. cit. p. 543, plate 763), Apollo standing between the altar and holding a lyre, also produced in 1785 (ibid. p. 541, plate 758B), and Mars with his wolf.  The Apollo plaque was used by Vulliamy on at least another clock model with the figure of Andromeche, no. 243, now in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight (ibid. p. 500, fig. 844).

Reference:

Timothy Clifford, ‘Vulliamy Clocks and British Sculpture’, Apollo, October 1990 pp. 226-237

Timonty Clifford, ‘New Evidence Concerning Vulliamy Clocks and Duesbury Porcelain’, Derby Porcelain International Society Journal, vol. II, 1991

Robin Reilly, Wedgwood, London, 1989, vols. I-II