Museum Quality Gothic Revival Clock by Royal Clockmaker Vulliamy, circa 1840.

This monumental clock, with its imposing case in the Gothic taste, represents the very best work produced by the Vulliamy workshop during the 1840’s.

The three painted roundels depicting landmarks in Greenwich, including Flamstead House the original Royal Observatory building at Greenwich – King Charles II instructed Wren, who was also an astronomer, to design the building in 1675.  The Greenwich Hospital and Queen’s House, and an oblique view of Greenwich hospital with ships on the river Thames.  These landmarks suggest a private commission with links to the Royal Hospital, or a governmental commission, as Vulliamy supplied a number of public funded works in the 1840’s and 50’s.

Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (1780-1854) third generation of the renowned 18th and 19th century Vulliamy clock making family.  He was clockmaker of the Crown and elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.  In addition to being a skilled craftsman, Vulliamy was known for his refined taste and extensive knowledge of art, literature and architecture.