Precious Time: The Markwick Tall-case Clock, 1725

The Victoria & Albert Museum

This japanned tall-case clock shows the Eighteenth Century desire to imitate the expensive imported lacquer from Japan and China. It is decorated with Chinese figures, vases and flowering shrubs. Like many works of Japanning, the effect on this clockcase was achieved by applying coats of colored varnish over a gesso base layer. This layer has been built up in relief for a three-dimensional effect.

This masterpiece is the work of James Markwick the Younger, who made this clock around 1725. Markwick was a member of the Clock Makers Company in London, becoming master of the Company in 1720.