Georgian Carved Wood Memento Mori Death Clock - Skull Snakes c.1800 

This is an exceptional Georgian period carved memento mori mantle clock, circa 1800. 

The dial is repousse worked gilded copper a weeping willow beside a grave stone, the hands are the head & tail of a snake. Around the face is a wreath with a wilted poppy at the top. Below the face is an eagle or possibly phoenix in flight.

The body/ base of the clock depicts architectural ruins with a wheel cut glass insert decorated with a nimbus. At the base is a skull resting on three intertwined snakes. On the skull is a moth or butterfly.

The back of the clock is marquetry inlaid. The movement is silk suspension with a bob pendulum & it has a key. The movement is intact & runs - see video.

CONDITION The clock runs consistantly for days when wound without the pendulum attached, I havent been able to balance it with the pendulum in place so perhaps it needs shortening. There are losses to the case & old varnish has dessicated over time particularly at the rear, the glass insert is cracked.

The overall condition is as you would expect from an object of substantial age that has been displayed/handled/used, usually over the lifetimes of several owners.

DIMENSIONS

Height 38.8cm

Width 24.6cm

Depth 15.3cm

Weight 4.1kg

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