Bracket clock by Kirk, Grimsby Lane, Hull, c.1840
The white flower decoration on this clock case has been made using mother of pearl. Mother of pearl is a shiny, hard, smooth substance found inside some shells. It is also used for making buttons and beads.
Kezia and Thomas Kirk made this clock at their shop in Grimsby Lane, Hull. After 1846 Thomas continued the business alone until 1872. He advertised himself as a clockmaker, watchmaker and silversmith.
Clocks and watches were made in Hull and East Yorkshire from the early 1700s. Hull had no clockmakersâ guild to regulate and record the trade, so itâs difficult to find out about local clock making. Information about the craft comes from surviving examples, newspapers and trade directories. Trade directories were a kind of old fashioned Yellow Pages.
The parts needed to make a clock are the dial, movements (the mechanism that tells the time) and case. Some local craftsmen had the skills to make all of these parts. Other âclockmakersâ bought ready made parts and marked their name on the clock. Many of the cases for these clocks were probably still made in East Yorkshire, which had a number of skilled joiners.
Local demand for clocks supported several makers. In the 1700s there were around six clockmakers in Hull at any one time. Local clockmakers were influenced by London styles. Many Hull makers made copies of high quality London clocks, or they made cheaper cases, depending on their customerâs budget.
Bracket clocks are clocks designed to sit on a table or mantelpiece, or hang on a wall. They are much smaller than longcase (or grandfather) clocks that stand on the floor. Bracket clocks have short pendulums and mechanisms driven by steel springs. Most people couldnât afford bracket clocks, as the steel springs were very expensive to make.
Purchased by Hull Museums with assistance from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund.
