The names of Markwick and Markham appear on the dials of a number of English-made clocks and watches produced for the Turkish market.
However, it seems not all were made during what was a short partnership between James Markwick and Robert Markham, two freemen of the Clockmakers Company, who did business together in the 1720s.
Borrowed names
Writing in A View of the Commerce of Greece published in 1800, Felix de Beaujour explains why the name had persisted. “Markwick Markham are fictitious names”, he said. “It is an old extinct clock manufactory whose name some London makers borrowed lest the Turks should be startled by new names.”
Typically on these clocks and watches, the name Markwick Markham appears next to that of the real maker.
Late 18th century coach watch made for the Ottoman market – £5500 at Andrew Smith & Son.
Regarding a pair-cased coach or goliath pocket watch offered by Andrew Smith & Son (21% buyer’s premium) in Alresford, Winchester, on December 13 that was Perigal London, probably for Francis Perigal III (1742-1817) whose family had a shop in the Royal Exchange.
The watch, measuring almost 4in (10cm) across, has a gilded full plate verge movement with four hammers for strike and repeat on a single bell. Numbered 15390, it is housed in an outer case of leather studded with silver pins.
These are always popular entries and, in generally good condition, this one sold at £5500 (estimate £500-700).
Table clock
An 18th century Gdansk table clock signed for Johann Ernest Weichenthal – £4400 at Andrew Smith & Son.
Another welcome horological entry to this Hampshire auction was a gilded brass horizontal table clock.
This is a type associated in England with the 17th century but in mainland Europe it persisted well into the 18th century.
The example here was signed to the chain fusee striking movement JE Weichenthal, Dantzig No. 101 for Johann Ernest Weichenthal who worked in the Baltic coastal city now known as Gdansk in the second half of the 18th century.
He made the clock for the mercantile building known as the Artus Court in 1798 (it was returned there at the end of the last century).
An 18th century Gdansk table clock signed for Johann Ernest Weichenthal – £4400 at Andrew Smith & Son.
Germanic in form and detail, this table clock may have been one that was bought-in from makers based in southern Germany (mainly Augsburg or Nuremburg) or made locally in the Weichenthal workshop closely copying German practice.
Requiring a clean, but original and complete, it took £4400 (£2000-2500) via thesaleroom.com.
