 |
 |
Charles Gretton Book Project
January 20, 2009
The Gretton Project
A book about Charles Gretton by Warner Meinen and Dennis Radage
Project Update – January 2009
In our letter of October 2008, published in the December 2008 issue of Antiquarian Horology, we committed to publish a list of our findings, tabulating all of the identified Gretton clocks and watches. We specifically want to highlight all of the identified clocks whose whereabouts are unknown to us. Charles Gretton became an eminent and well respected maker of fine clocks and watches in London, he was however born in Claypole, Lincolnshire, see Photo 1.
In October 2008 we had identified 106 clocks and watches. As it turned out though, closer examination revealed several duplicates, so our count was reduced slightly. However, following the publication of the October letter, several new clocks, previously unknown to us, have surfaced. Our current count therefore now stands at 107 items; 36 are table/spring clocks, 48 are longcase clocks, the watch count remains at 20 and the lantern clock count remains at 3.
We know the current whereabouts of 54 of the clocks and watches, this leaves another 53 that we know of, have a catalogue or book image of, but do not know the current owner nor the location of the item. Of the ones that we do know the whereabouts of, these are mostly with private individuals and museums, although a few are currently with dealers. Most of the identified but unlocated clocks have been identified by images from old books and auction catalogues.
We will list below the clocks and watches in four tables, listing longcase clocks, Table 1. Spring/table clocks, Table 2. Lantern clocks, Table 3, and watches, Table 4. We do not own the copyright for most images, however, we have been able to obtain a release from all private owners, dealers and auction houses, specifically for use in this project and our book. More work is still required to obtain similar releases from other institutions and museums. However, it is not intend to publish the images in this article.
Our tables list all items in each category, along with a brief description. For the unlocated items, a reference is given as to the last known image, whether it be from an auction catalogue or book. Located items are listed as such indicating whether the item is privately owned, in a museum or with a dealer. For confidentiality reasons, we have not listed the provenance (last known publication) of items in this located (private) category. It is our hope that owners of clocks that we do not have a current location for, will identify their clocks from the brief description and the last known reference. As previously mentioned, we do have images of all of the untraced items, although some images may be poor. If an owner believes that they have an unlocated item and would like to confirm this, please contact us and we will, in confidence, send you a copy of the image that we have on file.
Some interesting statistics are starting to emerge from this project; of the 107 items identified by Gretton, 45% are longcase clocks, 33% are spring/table clocks, 19% are watches and just 3% are lantern clocks. Refer to Figure 1. Further, of the longcase clocks, we have located 37%, that is 18 of the 48. Of the spring/table clocks, we have located 50%, that is 18 of the 36. Of the watches, we have located 83%, that is 16 of the 20, and of the lantern clocks we have located 2, which is 66% of the 3 known lantern clocks. One of the lantern clocks recently came up for auction but was eventually sold privately to an international buyer.
It is interesting to note that the smaller the timepiece, the better chance we have of locating it. 83% being watches, 50% for table clocks, 66% for lantern clocks but just 37% for longcase clocks! This seems counter to any fear of the timepiece being stolen. Would this also imply that longcase clock owners are more private of their ownership, or are these clocks in the homes of individuals who are not active collectors, thus do not read the current horological journals? This would be unfortunate since Gretton’s greatest output would seem to have been longcase clocks, many being impressive examples such as those from the Wetherfield Collection.
While we have by no means concluded our research, initial estimates indicate that Gretton was making clocks from right after his apprenticeship in 1672 until the late 1720’s, more than 50 years of making clocks. While dating has not been completed yet, Gretton’s peak output seems to have been during the 1690’s. Refer to Figure 2. Initial estimates also indicate that while table clock production peaked in the 1690’s, they continued to be made into the 1720’s. Longcase clocks also peaked in the 1690’s but production dropped off quite significantly after about 1700. Watch production seems to have started early and continued through 1700. Refer to Figure 3.
We know that Gretton employed journeymen and apprentices, and his working period spanned more than 50 years. He was an active member of the Clockmaker’s Company for much of that time so we can assume that his focus was indeed the making of clocks and watches. It is likely that a number of his timepieces were destroyed, dismantled or lost, this is evidenced by locating watch movements, dismantled table clock movements and plain sheet dials, signed but without anything attached. One longcase movement was found in a farmer’s field.
From these statistics it remains purely guesswork as to how many timepieces Gretton and his staff may have made. We believe that the number certainly exceeds just those that we have identified. Hopefully more owners will come forward. We particularly hope that we are able to locate some of the 53 known but unlocated clocks and watches. Since there are so many unlocated longcase clocks, we would very much appreciate hearing about some of these.
As has been mentioned previously, this project is being managed from both Vancouver, Canada, and from the Netherlands. Research is slow and expensive and our time in the UK is severely limited. We would certainly like to spend more time with current owners and more time examining the clocks we find. Unfortunately though, with two or more items to photograph per day, and often 100 or 200 miles between owners, visiting time is usually limited to just a few hours. Taking acceptable photographs under these conditions is indeed challenging, while our equipment is good, we have less than ideal conditions, no studio so photographing in situ is the most likely scenario. We do have lighting, but due to voltage differences we rely mostly on the new “all voltage” daylight LED lights. While good, we never seem to have sufficient lighting. Setting up and packing the equipment takes more than half our time and actual photography may take an hour or so thus leaving relatively little time for discussion and touring collections. Naturally we do need to document specifications, take dimensions and sign the appropriate releases.
Our next visit to the UK is already scheduled for May this year (2009). We have already arranged to visit several private owners to photograph and document their Gretton clocks and watches. However, we still need your help. If you know of any Gretton clocks or watches, or if you have information which you feel might assist this project, we would be delighted to hear from you. We would truly appreciate your support – confidentiality is assured. Please contact either Warner or myself.
Thank you
Dennis Radage
2515 Marine Drive
West Vancouver, B.C.
V7V 1L5. Canada
604-921-1666
grettonproject@telus.net
Warner Meinen
Beukenlaan 3
9431 CS Westerbork
The Netherlands
017-431-0783
grettonproject@hetnet.nl
ITEM ID
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
LAST KNOWN
LOCATED
LOC
LC1
Walnut, 9 ¼” sq dial, B&S maintain power, early hands, flat top
Sotheby’s lot 63 09/07/64
no
NA
LC2
Walnut, 9 ½” sq dial, B&S maintain power, early hands, flat top
Sotheby’s lot 362 22/02/90
no
NA
LC3
Walnut, 10” sq dial, B&S maintain power, early hands, flat top
Yes – private
UK
LC4
Walnut, 10” sq dial, flat plinth base, flat top
Sotheby’s lot 267 78 & 80
no
NA
LC5
Floral marquetry, lenticle, 10” sq dial, flat top, bun feet
Sotheby’s lot 294 14/12/89
no
NA
LC6
Floral marquetry, lenticle, sq dial, domed top with finials
Wetherfield Collection
no
NA
LC7
Floral marquetry, lenticle, 11” sq dial, flat top, flat plinth base
Bonham’s lot 226 14/07/99
no
NA
LC8
Floral marquetry & cherubs, lenticle, 11” sq dial, flat top, qtr striking
Yes – private
CA
LC9
Arabesque marquetry, lenticle, 11” sq dial, flat top, block feet
Sotheby’s lot 936 07/06/86
no
NA
LC10
Walnut flat top, lenticle, 11” dial, flat plinth base, 5 latched pillars
Bonham’s lot 148 25/10/08
no
NA
LC11
Arabesque marquetry, sq dial, flat top, bun feet
Naon Arg. Christies NY lot 5 - 06
no
NA
LC12
Floral marquetry, lenticle, sq dial, domed top, flat plinth base
Wetherfield Collection Fig. 38
no
NA
LC13
Floral marquetry, lenticle, arch dial, domed top & fin, pad feet
WC & EDC fig 181
no
NA
LC14
Floral marquetry, lenticle, 11” sq dial, domed top, flat plinth base
Sotheby’s lot 262 18/12/86
no
NA
LC15
Floral marquetry, lenticle, 11” sq dial, flat top, flat plinth base
Sotheby’s lot 138 03/03/96
no
NA
LC16
Floral marquetry, flat top
Millers & Christies 97 & 2000
no
NA
LC17
Seaweed marquetry, lenticle, 11” sq dial, domed top, flat plinth
Sotheby’s lot 176 05/07/02
no
NA
LC18
Floral marquetry + border, lenticle, sq dial, flat top, bun ft.
Solvang Antiques USA 2007
no
NA
Table 2: Spring Table Clocks List
Clock ID
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
LAST KNOWN
LOCATED
LOC
BK1
Ebony, gilt top, T&S+R, date@ VI, no finials
Yes - dealer
UK
BK2
Ebony, gilt top, T&S+R, ball finials
Yes - private
UK
BK3
Ebony, pad top, T&S, date @ VI, no finials
Yes - private
UK
BK4
Movement, T&S
Private restorer
no
?
BK5
Ebony, gilt top, T&S, date @ VI finials, alarm
Sotheby’s lot 76 26/06/76
no
?
BK6
Ebony, silver top & mts, date @ XII, three train, finials
V & A Museum
Yes - museum
UK
BK7
Ebony, gilt top & mts, date @ XII, single train,
Sotheby’s lot 207 02/78
no
?
BK8
Movement, T&S+R, date @ VI, false Pend.
Early English Clocks
no
?
BK9
Ebony, pad top, single train
Sotheby’s lot 99 11/12/54
no
?
BK10
Ebony, pad top, gilt mts, T&S, false Pend, date @ VI
V & A Museum
Yes - museum
UK
BK11
Ebony, gilt top & mts, finials, single train, date @ XII
Sotheby’s lot 43 09/07/64
no
?
BK12
Ebony, gilt top & mts, finials, T&S, false Pend, 2 sub dials
Yes - private
NL
BK13
Ebony, Pad top, gilt mts, T&S, date @ VI, 2 sub dials, false Pend
Yes - private
UK
BK14
Ebony, gilt top & mts, T&S, date@ VI, finials
Christies lot 389 29/03/01
no
?
BK15
Ebony, gilt top & mts, finials, single train, date@ XII
Sotheby’s lot 57 28/06/78
no
?
BK16
Ebony, pad top, single train, date@ XII
Sotheby’s lot 153 24/06/74
no
?
BK17
Duplicate
BK18
Ebony, pad top, T&S + R, date @ VI, false Pend, 4 sub dials
Yes - private
UK
BK19
Ebony, gilt Double basket & mts, finials, T&S + R, moon & date
Yes - private
CA
BK20
Kingwood, pad top, + mts, T&S, date @VI, false Pend
Christies lot 70 + GBC
no
?
BK21
Ebony, small pad top, T&S, fls pend, date above XII
Yes - private
UK
BK22
Ebonized, inv bell top, Time, false Pend, date dial in arch
Sotheby’s SA lot 3 19/04/04
no
?
BK23
Ebonized, inv bell top , T&S, false Pend, date dial in arch
Wetherfield Collection
no
?
BK24
Ebonized, inv bell top , T&S, false Pend, date dial in arch
Yes - private
USA
BK25
Ebonized, inv bell top , T&S, false Pend, date @VI, sig in arch
Yes - other
UK
BK26
Ebonized, inv bell top , T&S, false Pend, date @ VI, seconds in arch?
Yes - private
UK
BK27
Kingwood, gilt top, finials, time, date@ XII
Image from NAWCC
no
?
BK28
Ebonized, later bell top, T&S, date @ VI, arch dial
Hy Duke lot 748 29/09/06
no
?
BK29
Kingwood, pad top & mts, , T&S, date @ XII
Christies lot 100
no
?
BK30
Kingwood, pad top & mts, T&S, date @ VI
Yes - private
UK
BK31
Kingwood, gilt top & mts, T&S, date @ VI, false Pend
Garths Ohio lot 1068 05/05/07
no
?
BK32
Ebony, pad top with mts, time, false Pend
Bonham’s lot 163 22/04/98
no
?
BK33
Ebony, Pad top, T&S, false Pend. Date @ XII
Yes - private
DE
BK34
Kingwood & marquetry case, T&S, false Pend. Date @ VI
Yes - private
UK
BK35
Ebony, Low pad top, finials, false Pend, T&S, 4 sub dials,
Bonham’s lot 121
no
?
BK36
Ebony, gilt top & mts, time
Private restorer
Yes - private
UK
BK37
Ebony, pad top, ebony, time, false Pend.
Yes - private
UK
Clock ID
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
LAST KNOWN
LOCATED
LOC
LT1
30H lantern, no alarm, wide chapter ring, foliage fret
Wetherfield Collection Fig. 4
no
NA
LT2
30H lantern, no alarm, wide chapter ring, foliage fret
UK auction 2008
Yes - private
Int
LT3
30H lantern, no alarm, wide chapter ring, foliage fret, winged
Yes - private
UK
Watch ID
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
LAST KNOWN
LOCATED
LOC
W1
Silver pair case, pierced inner & outer case, silver dial, alarm
Artistry of English Watch p85
Yes - CC
UK
W2
Filigree in gold
Artistry of English Watch p93
no
NA
W3
Ornamented tortoiseshell, Lee family arms
Artistry of English Watch p105
no
NA
W4
Gold watch, enamel back & enamel dial with white chapter ring
no
NA
W5
Gold pair case, chased outer, gold dial, steel hands.
Clocks & Watches in CC p 26
Yes - CC
UK
W6
Gold pair case, gilt champlevé dial, 2 steel hands, signed dial
Yes - Private
UK
W7
Silver pair case silver champlevé dial single hand
Yes - Private
UK
W8
Gold pair case white enamel dial two hands
Yes - Private
USA
W9
Silver pair case silver champlevé dial single hand
British Museum
Yes - Museum
UK
W10
Silver cased, silver champlevé dial, two hands, rear plate seconds
British Museum
Yes - Museum
UK
W11
Verge movement
British Museum
Yes - Museum
UK
W12
Gold cased watch, gilt champlevé dial two hands
Ashmolean Oxford
Yes - Museum
UK
W13
Octagonal silver cased watch, silver champlevé dial one hand
Ashmolean Oxford
Yes - Museum
UK
W14
Gretton movement in later skeletonized silver case
USA dealer – Pieces of Time
no
USA
W15
Gold pair case watch shagreen back, gilt champlevé dial two hands
Yes - Private
NA
W16
Gold pair case, gilt champlevé dial, 2 steel hands, signed dial
Yes - Private
UK
W17
Silver pair case, inlaid outer tortoiseshell, silver champlevé dial
Yes - Private
UK
W18
Silver pair case, outer tortoiseshell, white enamel dial two hands
British Museum
Yes - Museum
UK
W19
Silver cased, white enamel dial, two hands
Yes - Private
UK
W20
Watch – no details
Liverpool Museum
Yes - Museum
UK
