The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

Ellenor M. Alcorn, Associate Curator, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses how in England, as in Europe, a rich display of silver was essential to the expression of power. Discover how English sovereigns from Elizabeth I to George III and their courtiers competed culturally on the international stage, commissioning silver and other luxury goods to establish their stature. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition British Silver: The Wealth of a Nation, on view May 15, 2012–January 20, 2013.

Recorded October 12, 2012

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Clock

Clockmaker: Jean-Philippe Gosselin (recorded as master in Paris 1717, died 1766)

Maker:: Case maker: Jean-Joseph de Saint Germain (1719–1791)
Date:: ca. 1750
Culture:: French (Paris)
Medium:: Case: bronze, formerly gilded, silvered or lacquered; Dial: white enamel, with black numerals; Movement: brass and steel
Dimensions:: 16 x 12 in. (40.6 x 30.5 cm)
Classification:: Horology
Credit Line:: Bequest of Ogden Mills, 1929
Accession Number:: 37.160.9

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 551

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: Case signed (on back of leg): ST Germain [Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain (1719-1791)]; Dial signed: GOSSELIN / APARIS [probably Jean-Philippe Gosselin (recorded 1717, d. 1766)]; Movement signed: Gosselin AParis

Inscription: Movement numbered: 994

Marking: Impressed on left back leg: ST GERMAIN; four attached foliate sprays at sides and top: two on left stamped G and *G* respectively, near screw holes; that on right, D; that on top, H (probably for gauche, droit, haut); corresponding marks near screw holes on main body of case.
Provenance

Ogden Mills (until 1929; bequeathed to MMA)
See also
Who
Jean-Joseph de Saint Germain (3)

Jean-Philippe Gosselin (1)
What
Metal (59,619)

Copper alloy (16,659)

Bronze (11,655)

Gilt (9,068)

Iron and iron alloy (6,998)

Brass (3,509)

Iron alloy (3,417)

Steel (3,147)

Cases (1,751)

Enamel (1,663)

Timepieces (1,121)

Clocks (611)

Dials (94)

Movements (74)
Where
Europe (150,115)

France (49,363)

Paris (2,032)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,675)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,264)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
The Art, Form, and Function of Gilt Bronze in the French Interior

France, 1600–1800 A.D.

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The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

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Clockmaker: Jean-Philippe Gosselin (recorded as master in Paris 1717, died 1766)

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The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

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Clock

Clockmaker: Jean-Philippe Gosselin (recorded as master in Paris 1717, died 1766)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store