Art Funded by you

Astronomical chronometer

George Margetts, Thomas Earnshaw, c. 1783

Watch revolving within a Y-form bracket on a tripod stand with folding feet. The rotating dial of the clock is made of enamel and painted in grisaille with the constellations. Against this, moving gold symbols indicate the positions of the sun and moon. As Jonathan Betts has observed 'such extravagant novelties were ... popular with East India Company officers and ... were almost certainly made ... for the far eastern market.'

More information

Title of artwork, date

Astronomical chronometer, c. 1783

Date supported

1998

Medium and material

Gilt brass, steel, glass, enamel

Dimensions

41 x 33 x 31 cm

Grant

24000

Total cost

46637

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

Art Funded by you FAQs

Why is this object record marked 'archive'?
Where can I see this work of art? Is it on display?
What is Art Fund's purpose?
How is Art Fund funded?
What type of funding do you offer?
What does the acquisition grants programme support and who can apply?
How many works of art has Art Fund helped museums to acquire?
I’m a curator/researcher/arts professional and would like to find out more about this work, how do I get in touch?
I’m a journalist and would like to contact Art Fund about this work, how do I get in touch?
I would like to donate a work of art to a museum. What do I need to do?
I'd like to leave a gift to Art Fund in my will. How can I do this?

Contact us

If you have a question about a work of art in our archive, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.