ϒ A George I brass mounted ebony table clock with pull-quarter repeat on six bells Robert Markham, London, circa 1720 The five finned pillar twin fusee bell striking movement with verge escapement regulated by short bob pendulum and pull-quarter repeat on a nest of six graduated bells, the backplate engraved with symmetrical foliate scrolls incorporating narcissus blooms around an unusual central figure depicting a Classical warrior waving a union flag pennant over cartouche reserve signed Robert Markham, LONDON, the 8 inch brass break-arch dial with false bob and calendar apertures to the matted centre within applied Roman numeral chapter ring with diamond lozenge half hour markers and Arabic five minutes to outer track, with pierced steel hands and angles applied with female bust and scroll cast spandrels beneath arch centred with herringbone-bordered silvered boss signed Robert Markham, LONDON over switch labelled Silent/Strike and flanked by foliate strapwork cast mounts, the brass mounted ebony veneered inverted bell-top case with hinged carrying handle to the superstructure, brass urn finials and cavetto top mouldings over brass fillet inset glazed dial aperture and conforming foliate scroll upper quadrant frets to front door, the sides with D-ended lozenge over brass fillet-bordered break-arch scroll-pierced sound frets the rear with square brass fillet bordered window beneath arched fret and upper quadrants to a rectangular door set within the frame of the case, on cavetto moulded skirt base, 50cm (19.75ins) high excluding handle. The maker of the current lot was the son of a clockmaker also named Robert Markham. Brian Loomes records (on his website) that Robert Markham senior was born in Buckinghamshire the son of Richard Markham and was a member of the Curriers' Company in London from 1666 and died in 1715 leaving everything to his wife and only son, Robert junior. His bequests included plate and jewels but also any moneys owing from the government or any 'body politick', which implies he had trade with government departments. Robert junior was probably born about 1680 and was made free of the Curriers in 1700 after having served an apprenticeship. He married Catherine Markwick, the daughter of the clockmaker James Markwick senior, before entering into partnership with his brother-in-law also called James. On the death Robert in 1741 bequests were made to his wife, his only son, James, and two unmarried daughters Elizabeth and Anne. These included household goods, 'plate and jewells', but also considerable stocks in Old South Sea Annuities and Million Bank stock. The business appears to have continued under the name 'Markwick Markham' entering into subsequent often short-lived partnerships with makers such as Francis Perigal and Henry Borrell producing timepieces mainly for Export. The current clock is unusual in that it is signed for Markham alone rather than in partnership with Markwick. Details such as the strike/silent switch above the XII numeral, sophisticated engraving to the backplate and design of the case mirrors those seen on contemporary clocks signed by Markwick alone (including a green japanned example in the Victoria and Albert Museum) which confirms that they originate from the same workshop. ϒ indicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.