James Stratton
Director
Property of a Gentleman
Lot 47
Of Royal Provenance: A third quarter of the 18th century mahogany bell topped bracket clock from the collection of Her late Royal Highness Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. A gift on the occasion of her marriage to Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon on the 6 May 1960 by Mr and Mrs Parker Bowles, Donnington Castle House, Newbury, Berkshire. Benjamin Ward, London
2 December 2025, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£6,000 - £9,000
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Lewis Walduck
Cataloguer
Of Royal Provenance: A third quarter of the 18th century mahogany bell topped bracket clock from the collection of Her late Royal Highness Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. A gift on the occasion of her marriage to Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon on the 6 May 1960 by Mr and Mrs Parker Bowles, Donnington Castle House, Newbury, Berkshire.
Benjamin Ward, London
The bell-topped case surmounted by a brass finial and further brass mounts framed by four similar cast finials over a moulded top, the sides with brass carrying handles and cast sound frets backed in red silk, and the front framed by a pair of human mask mounts with further brass sound frets, raised on a moulded base further decorated with similar brass mounts and raised on four ogee-shaped brass feet. The 7 inch brass dial with Roman and Arabic chapter ring and a silvered centre signed Benjamin Ward, London, with a simple calendar aperture to the lower section and blued steel hands, framed by cast brass spandrels and a strike/silent aperture to the upper section. The double fusee movement with now-converted anchor escapement striking the hours on a bell mounted above the backplate, finely engraved with floral motifs and a central bowl of flowing fruit and flowers. Currently ticking and striking. 52cms (20ins) high.
The bell-topped case surmounted by a brass finial and further brass mounts framed by four similar cast finials over a moulded top, the sides with brass carrying handles and cast sound frets backed in red silk, and the front framed by a pair of human mask mounts with further brass sound frets, raised on a moulded base further decorated with similar brass mounts and raised on four ogee-shaped brass feet. The 7 inch brass dial with Roman and Arabic chapter ring and a silvered centre signed Benjamin Ward, London, with a simple calendar aperture to the lower section and blued steel hands, framed by cast brass spandrels and a strike/silent aperture to the upper section. The double fusee movement with now-converted anchor escapement striking the hours on a bell mounted above the backplate, finely engraved with floral motifs and a central bowl of flowing fruit and flowers. Currently ticking and striking. 52cms (20ins) high.
Footnotes
Provenance:
Property of a Gentleman, acquired Christies London, 14 June 2006, Silver, Furniture and Works of Art from the Collection of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, lot 797. Prior to its auction, this clock welcomed visitors in the hall of the private apartment of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in Kensington Palace, London. Sold together with the leather bound Certificate of Provenance signed by Viscount Linley, 14 June 2006.
Gifted to H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon on the occasion of her marriage to Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon on the 6 May 1960 by Mr and Mrs Parker Bowles, Donnington Castle House, Newbury, Berkshire.