Alarm clock
Pierre Morier
Category
Horology
Date
1740 - 1745
Materials
Brass
Measurements
70 mm (D)155 mm (W)110 mm (H)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1333472
Summary
Flintlock alarm clock inscribed 'Pierre Morier Lon-don', c1744. Previously associated with inventory number SNO.H.4384.
Full description
The box-shaped gilt-brass case, 155cm by 110cm, stands on four legs shaped as animal or “claw” feet, each with four toes. The case is divided into three compartments, one contains a clock and its mechanism, another compartment with a hinged lid conceals a candle, and a further compartment running the length of the front of the case contains a flintlock mechanism. The sides and top of the case are engraved overall with interlacing scrolling designs which include foliage and birds, while four winged cherubs surround the clock dial. The cherub motif also appears again on the front panel. The engraved hinged lid is signed in script, Pierre Morier, London. To the left side of the case is the clock which has a gilt dial set on the top. The large outer dial has both Roman and Arabic numerals the outer ring of this dial marked in 5 minute intervals from 5 to 60, while an inner ring shows the hours marked I to XII. It has a long gilt minute hand and a short hour hand with a fretwork tail. An inner dial marked in Arabic numerals 1 to 12 was used to set the alarm time while a small semi-circular dial towards the bottom of the clock face was used to regulate the time. The underside of the large dial has a scratched description with the date 1744. On the underside of the case is a large domed steel alarm bell. To the right of the clock is a large compartment for the candle, which is held on a folding sconce and concealed beneath a hinged lid. The large coil spring that activates the lid is probably a modern replacement. A further compartment running the length of the back of the case contains a flintlock mechanism. Only the cock, pan and frizzen are visible, the rest being concealed by the case. Stylistically the cock and frizzen reflect a design more appropriate to the late 17th century, but this old style of design has been noted on other known examples which can be accurately dated from the recorded working dates of the maker. The device works in the following manner; The required time for the alarm is set using the small inner dial. The position of the candle is checked making sure the wick lies close to the pan. It is then pushed into a horizontal position by closing the lid of the case. Finally the flintlock is cocked, the pan primed and the frizzen closed. When the required time is reached an alarm bell rings. Simultaneously the cock is released, the priming ignites followed by the candle wick, the compartment lid opens and the candle gently raised via gearing to a vertical position. The gearing ensures that the candle moves slowly so as not to extinguish the flame before it takes hold.
Provenance
Gift of Miss Greatrex (unclear if this is during Wade's lifetime). Valued at £2000. Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Marks and inscriptions
Pierre Morier Lon-don
Makers and roles
Pierre Morier