Skip to main content

The Three Graces' Clock: M.3-1957

Object information

Awaiting location update

Titles

The Three Graces' Clock

Maker(s)

Clockmaker: Anonymous
Case maker: Anonymous

Entities

Categories

Description

Clock with 8 day movement. Round case in the form of a sphere supported by the Three Graces, surmounted by a seated Cupid.

Dial: The dial consists of a shallow rotating drum carry¬ing a white enamel ring dial with black markings. This has the hours I-XII twice in roman numerals, with the hours divided into quarters and five min¬utes. The half hours are marked by fleur-de-lys and the half quarters by dots. There is a fixed arrow design hour hand and a hidden minute hand within the spherical case for accurate setting.

Movement: 8 day movement striking the hours on a bell, with dead beat verge escapement and very short pen¬dulum with silk suspension.

Case: In the form of a sphere supported by figures of the Three Graces. The sphere divided in two horizontal¬ly by an opening to display the dial and enamelled dark blue with foliate ormolu mounts. It is sur¬mounted by a seated ormolu Cupid holding aloft a sheaf of arrows. The Three Graces face inwards and support the sphere with raised arms, whilst their hands hold swags of flowers which hang down and surround the figures. The base supporting them consists of a triangular block of white marble with concave sides decorated with arabesque and acanthus mounts and with three tapering feet, all in fine quality ormolu work, the figures being particularly well executed.

Legal notes

Given by Lady Mildred Fitzgerald

Measurements and weight

?

At the moment, this record does not display units or type of measurements. We will rectify this as soon as possible.

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1957) by Fitzgerald, Mildred, Lady

Dating

18th Century, Late
Circa 1780 - 1800

School or Style

Neoclassical

Components of the work

Figures composed of ormolu
Base composed of white marble

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: M.3-1957
Primary reference Number: 139956
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 25 February 2020 Last processed: Friday 8 December 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "The Three Graces' Clock" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/139956 Accessed: 2024-11-21 22:21:34

Citation for Wikipedia

To cite this record on Wikipedia you can use this code snippet:

{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/139956 |title=The Three Graces' Clock |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-21 22:21:34|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

API call for this record

To call these data via our API (remember this needs to be authenticated) you can use this code snippet:

https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/api/v1/objects/object-139956

Sign up for updates

Updates about future exhibitions and displays, family activities, virtual events & news. You'll be the first to know...